Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Published by
Energy Resources Conservation Board
640 5 Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 3G4
Telephone: 403-297-8311
Fax: 403-297-7040
Publications@ercb.ca
Web site: www.ercb.ca
Directive 036
The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB/Board) has approved this directive on February 16, 2006.
<original signed by>
B. T. McManus, Q.C.
Published by
Alberta Energy and Utilities Board
640 5 Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 3G4
Telephone: (403) 297-8311
Fax: (403) 297-7040
Web site: www.eub.gov.ab.ca
Contents
Overview..........................................................................................................................................1
Purpose of the Directive ............................................................................................................ 1
Whats New in This Directive................................................................................................... 1
What This Directive Contains ................................................................................................... 1
Alberta Municipal Affairs - Safety Services ............................................................................. 1
Non-EUB Users......................................................................................................................... 1
Waivers ................................................................................................................................... 1
EUB Responsibilities ................................................................................................................ 2
Conducting a Drilling Rig Inspection ..............................................................................................3
Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 3
EUB Inspectors Role................................................................................................................ 3
EUB Inspectors Focus.............................................................................................................. 3
EUB Inspectors Safety ............................................................................................................. 4
Industrys Role .......................................................................................................................... 4
EUB Enforcement Process ........................................................................................................ 4
Completing the Drilling Inspection/Investigation Report................................................................ 5
Drilling Inspection/Investigation Report................................................................................... 7
A
General Information ........................................................................................................ 9
B
Mechanical Tests ........................................................................................................... 10
C
Inspection Results.......................................................................................................... 11
D
Comments...................................................................................................................... 11
Enforcement Action....................................................................................................... 11
E
F
On-Site Discussions....................................................................................................... 12
Inspection Items Detailed ..............................................................................................................13
1 Blowout Prevention System ....................................................................................................13
1.1 Blowout Preventer (BOP) Equipment ........................................................................... 13
1.1.1 Metallic Material for Sour Service ................................................................... 13
1.1.2 Pipe Rams ......................................................................................................... 14
1.1.3 Casing Rams ..................................................................................................... 14
1.1.4 Ram Locking Devices (Hand Wheels) ............................................................. 14
1.1.5 Double Drilling/Studding ................................................................................. 14
1.1.6 Flange- and Clamp-Type Connections ............................................................. 15
1.1.7 Redundant BOP Equipment.............................................................................. 15
1.2 Casing Bowls................................................................................................................. 15
1.2.1 Sliplock............................................................................................................. 15
1.2.2 Threaded ........................................................................................................... 15
1.2.3 Welded.............................................................................................................. 16
1.2.4 Casing Bowl Flange, Outlet(s), and Valve(s)................................................... 16
1.2.5 Pressure Rating ................................................................................................. 16
1.3 Drill-Through Components ........................................................................................... 16
1.4 Stabbing Valve and Inside BOP .................................................................................... 17
1.5 Lower Kelly Cock Valve............................................................................................... 17
1.6 Stripping Operations...................................................................................................... 18
1.7 Shop Servicing and Testing of BOPs, Drill-Through Spools, and Flexible Bleed-off
and Kill-line Hoses ........................................................................................................ 18
2
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
2.2
2.3
2.4
ii
Winterizing.............................................................................................................................. 35
5.1 Winterizing BOP, Accumulator, Bleed-off, and Kill Systems ...................................... 35
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
6.6.5
Engines ....................................................................................................................................55
8.1 Shutoff Devices ............................................................................................................. 55
8.1.1 Diesel Engine(s) ............................................................................................... 55
8.1.2 Gasoline Engine(s) ........................................................................................... 55
8.1.3 Vehicles Without Shutoff Devices ................................................................... 55
8.1.4 Testing and Recording...................................................................................... 55
8.1.5 Conducting Engine Shutoff Test(s) .................................................................. 56
8.2 Engine Exhaust .............................................................................................................. 56
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
iii
iv
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Figures
1 Usable accumulator fluid volume above 8400 kPa........................................................... 48
2 Usable nitrogen fluid volume above 8400 kPa ................................................................. 52
3 High-hazard area for southern Alberta ............................................................................. 74
4 Emergency flare line configuration for high-hazard area (southeastern Alberta)
and for type 3 and type 4 surface casing reductions ......................................................... 75
5 BOP stack configurationscritical sour wells ................................................................. 81
6 Choke manifoldcritical sour wells ................................................................................ 82
7 Surface mineable areas ..................................................................................................... 93
8 Coiled tubing, Class Iminimum pressure rating 1400 kPa............................................ 97
9 Coiled tubing, Class IIminimum pressure rating 7000 kPa .......................................... 98
10 Coiled tubing, Class IIIminimum pressure rating 14 000 kPa ...................................... 99
11 Coiled tubing, Class IVminimum pressure rating 21 000 kPa.................................... 100
12 Coiled tubing, Class Vminimum pressure rating 34 000 kPa ..................................... 101
13 Coiled tubing, Class VIminimum pressure rating 69 000 kPa.................................... 102
14 Sour gas systems............................................................................................................. 147
vi
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Overview
Purpose of the Directive
Directive 36: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures details the
Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) minimum equipment and procedure
requirements that the licensee must follow when drilling wells in the Province of Alberta.
In addition, the directive provides a reference for EUB drilling rig inspection staff to
assist in completing the EUB Drilling Inspection/Investigation Report.
Whats New in This Directive
This edition of Directive 36 updates and provides clarifications to the June 2004 edition.
This directive details satisfactory and low risk (L) and high risk (H) unsatisfactory
inspection results, as well as consequences for noncompliance in accordance with the
EUBs enforcement process. (For additional information on low and high risk
enforcement, see Directive 019: EUB Compliance AssuranceEnforcement). For
provisions that do not come into effect on the issuance of this directive, see Appendix 17.
What This Directive Contains
This directive contains 25 sections that detail minimum equipment and procedure
requirements for drilling wells in the Province of Alberta. In addition, there are 17
appendices of supplemental information.
The directive also describes the role of the EUB Field Centre inspectors and includes the
EUB Drilling Inspection/Investigation Report that EUB field inspectors complete for
each site inspected.
Alberta Municipal Affairs - Safety Services
Both the EUB and Alberta Municipal Affairs - Safety Services (AMA-SS) (formerly the
Electrical Protection Branch) have responsibilities regarding electrical systems at drilling
rigs.
An agreement between the EUB and AMA-SS (see Appendix 13) describes and
formalizes the expectations of the EUB and the AMA-SS with regard to electrical
systems at rigs.
Waivers
EUB Field Centre staff may grant spacing exemptions verbally if the operator contacts
the appropriate Field Centre prior to commencing operations (Section 25).
Licensees that wish to be exempt from any other requirement of this directive must
submit a written request for the waiver involved to the EUB Well Operations Group in
Calgary.
EUB Responsibilities
The EUBs responsibilities with respect to drilling are
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
according to the Oil and Gas Conservation Act, Part 1, Section 4(b)(d)(f):
to secure the observance of safe and efficient practices in the locating, spacing,
drilling, equipping, completing, reworking, testing, operating, and abandonment of
wells and in operations for the production of oil and gas
to control pollution above, at or below the surface in the drilling of wells and in
operations for the production of oil and gas and in other operations over which the
Board has jurisdiction.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
stick diagram (offset well data, expected hydrogen sulphide [H2S] content, formation
tops and pressures, and the minimum mud weight required to control the expected
formation pressures, expressed in kilograms per cubic metre [kg/m3]), and
There may be situations where the licensee and/or contractor representatives request that
the BOPs not be checked because of the current drilling operation. The inspector must
use discretion in deciding to proceed with the inspection. An abbreviated inspection may
still be conducted.
The inspector should consult with the Field Centre Team Leader if there is concern about
conducting the inspection.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
comply with all safety procedures in EUB Internal Guide 8: Safety Manual,
specifically the Field Inspection Practices and Procedures Section, and
Industrys Role
The EUB expects the licensee and contractor representatives to understand, respect, meet,
and/or exceed the EUBs drilling regulations and requirements. This is achieved in part
by
awareness of the licensees EUB inspection record and taking appropriate action
where necessary,
ongoing training of well-site personnel for safety, well control, and equipment,
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Licensee code
Investigation
complete date
Well Identifier
LE
LSD
SEC
TWP
RGE
Contractor
Contractor code
I
Inspection type
Rig number
Well class
E
O
Licence number
M
W
1
I
Current operation
B. MECHANICAL TESTS
Accumulator
Recharge pump
Time
Make
No. of bottles
Capacity
min
(L)
N2 bottles
Design pressure
kPa
Number
Precharge pressure
Pressure before
Pressure after
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
kPa
kPa
kPa
Capacity
Average
pressure
BOP
function test
BOP controls
Type
No. of remote
(L)
kPa
Time to operate
No. on floor
Type
Distance
Hand wheels
HCR
Annular
I
I
I
S
S
S
Ram
Ram
Ram
E.
ENFORCEMENT ACTION
1.
12.
2.
13.
Casing Inspection
3.
Kill System
14.
Drillstem Testing
Satisfactory inspection
Unsatisfactory inspection
4.
Flexible Hoses
15.
5.
Winterizing
16.
6.
17.
7.
Pressure Testing
18.
8.
Engines
19.
9.
20.
Underbalanced Drilling
10.
21.
22.
______________________
(see reverse)
YES
NO
F. ON-SITE DISCUSSIONS
Rig down time
Telephone number (
Fax number (
Alberta Energy and Utilities Board 640-5 Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta Canada T2P 3G4
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Licensee Code
Leave blank.
Well Identifier
Inspection Date or
Investigation Complete Date
Contractor
Contractor Code
Leave blank.
Rig Number
Licence Number
Field Centre
Enter the 2-digit code and the full name of the Field Centre in
whose area the inspection was conducted:
03
Wainwright
07
St. Albert
04
Midnapore
08
Medicine Hat
05
Bonnyville
09
Red Deer
06
Drayton Valley
10
Grande Prairie
Inspection Type
Enter C for complete when a pressure test of the BOPs has been
witnessed in whole or in part.
Enter P for partial for all other inspections if a pressure test has
not been witnessed.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Current Depth
Projected Depth
Well Class
Current Operation
B Mechanical Tests
Accumulator
Record the
accumulator make
number of bottles
capacity in litres (L)
design pressure in kilopascals (kPa)
precharge pressure (kPa)
pressures before and after the BOP mechanical test (kPa)
Recharge Pump
N2 Bottles
Record the
number of nitrogen (N2) bottles
capacity (L)
combined average pressure (kPa)
BOP Controls
Record the
number of floor BOP controls
type of floor BOP controls (air, hydraulic, electric, etc.)
number of remote BOP controls
type of remote BOP controls (air, hydraulic, electric etc.)
distance of the remote controls from the well (m)
hand wheelsindicate whether locking hand wheels for
ram-type BOPs are available by entering Y or N; if the
rams have automatic locking devices (posi-lock), enter N/A
Time to Operate
10
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
C Inspection Results
The expectation is to inspect as many items as possible. Even if
only one rig item is examined, an inspection report must be
completed.
No box on the inspection report should be left blank. If boxes are
not applicable to the type of operation being inspected, put a
horizontal line through the box.
See Appendix 1 for operational deficiencies.
Each item under Inspection Results on the inspection report sheet is
discussed in the next sections, with a complete description of the
components to be inspected.
After inspecting all relevant components, enter the appropriate
inspection result.
Mark X if satisfactory.
Mark L if low risk unsatisfactory.
Mark H if high risk unsatisfactory.
D Comments
Clearly define each inspection item marked unsatisfactory (L or H)
on the inspection form. Indicate the type of remedial action required
to correct the deficiency and the deadline date for compliance.
If an unsatisfactory item is corrected during the inspection, make a
note of it in this section.
E Enforcement Action
Enter X if the inspection is satisfactory.
Enter the appropriate code (L or H) if the inspection is
unsatisfactory.
Indicate the appropriate noncompliance level.
Indicate the consequences for future noncompliance.
Circle Yes or No to answer whether a letter to the operator is
required.
(For additional information on low and high risk enforcement, see
Directive 019.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
11
On-Site Discussions
The EUB inspector must review this report with the licensee
representative on site and discuss any enforcement and/or remedial
actions required.
Licensee Representative;
Contractor Representative
EUB Inspector
Enter the total time (to the nearest quarter hour) that operations
were interrupted to carry out the rig inspection and/or subsequent
remedial action.
12
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Class I:
Class II:
A well in which the true vertical depth is less than or equal to 750 m
Class III:
A well in which the true vertical depth is greater than 750 m and less
than or equal to 1800 m
Class IV:
A well in which the true vertical depth is greater than 1800 m and less
than or equal to 3600 m
Class V:
A well in which the true vertical depth is greater than 3600 m and less
than or equal to 6000 m
Class VI:
For more detailed information, see Appendix 3. (For coiled tubing unit requirements, see
Section 24.)
1.1
adequate to shut off a flow at the wellhead, whether or not any type of tool or
equipment is being used in the well;
1.1.1
For critical sour wells, all pressure-containing components within the BOP, bleed-off,
and kill systems must meet current National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE)
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
13
Pipe Rams
For well classes II to VI, the pipe rams must be the correct size for the drill pipe (or
coiled tubing string) that is in use. This may require the use of variable bore rams.
If any pipe rams are changed out during the drilling operation, they must be pressure
tested (see Section 7).
1.1.3
Casing Rams
If intermediate/production casing or a liner will be run into the well, the pipe rams do not
have to be replaced with casing rams. If pipe rams are replaced with casing rams, they
must be pressure tested (see Section 7).
1.1.4
Ram-type BOPs that are not equipped with automatic ram locking devices must have a
ram locking device(s) (e.g., hand wheel(s), ratchet and socket) either installed or readily
accessible for installation.
1.1.5
Double Drilling/Studding
The double drilling/studding of BOP equipment (e.g., BOP body, BOP flanges, adapter
flanges, or spools) is acceptable. However, the following applies:
Double studding of the BOP body to accept two sizes of API flanges (for equipment
that may have a lower pressure rating) does not result in the derating of the preventer.
14
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
1.1.6
Clamp-type connectors that serve the same function as a high-pressure flanged assembly
may be used in the BOP system to replace a flanged connection.
Where flange- or clamp-type connections are required in the BOP system (see Appendix
3), they must meet the following requirements:
They must be designed in accordance with the standards set by the American
Petroleum Institute (API) or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Where non-API or non-ANSI flange- or clamp-type connectors are in use, they must
be certified by the OEM or a P.Eng. The certification document must be made
available upon request.
All required studs, bolts, and nuts on any flange- or clamp-type connections must be
installed and properly made up.
1.1.7
For all well classes whenever redundant BOP equipment (e.g., additional pipe rams,
lower kelly cock, HCR) is in use, the equipment must be
functional at all times (unless the equipment is locked out);
included in all pressure testing; and
included in accumulator and backup nitrogen system volume calculations.
1.2
Casing Bowls
For class I wells, sliplock type, threaded, or weld-on casing bowls may be used.
For well classes II to VI and critical sour wells, only threaded or weld-on casing bowls
are permitted.
1.2.1
Sliplock
Sliplock type casing bowls must be installed and maintained in accordance with the
manufacturers specifications.
When a sliplock type casing bowl is used, the licensee must provide documentation from
either the OEM or a P.Eng. that the casing bowl is certified for the application in use.
1.2.2
Threaded
Threaded casing bowls must be properly installed with regard to make-up procedures,
torque, and the use of thread compounds as set out in the current editions of the following
documents:
API Spec 6A: Specification for Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
15
1.2.3
Welded
Weld-on casing bowls must be welded in accordance with acceptable welding procedures
as set out in the current editions of the following documents:
API Spec 6A: Specification for Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment (latest
edition)
Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Z184: Standards for Gas Pipeline Systems
NACE MR0175
Industry Recommended Practice (IRP) Volume 1: Drilling Critical Sour Wells, which
also contains additional details regarding welding procedures
1.2.4
at least one threaded, flanged, or studded side outlet and valve on well classes I, II,
III, and IV, and
two flanged or studded side outlets and valves on well classes V and VI.
1.2.5
Pressure Rating
The casing bowl and valve(s) installed must meet the minimum pressure rating
requirements for the class of well being drilled (see Appendix 3). Casing bowl
specifications must be available at the rig (paper copy, tag, or stamped on bowl).
If the casing bowl and/or valves do not meet the minimum pressure rating requirements
for the well class being drilled, the bowl and/or valves must be changed out. Drilling
conditions must be stable and the well must be secured (e.g., use temporary bridge plug)
prior to replacing the bowl and/or valves.
After the bowl or valve(s) has been replaced, a pressure test is required.
1.3
Drill-Through Components
For well classes III to VI and critical sour wells, drill-through component(s) positioned
between the top flange of the uppermost BOP and the rotary table (or slip table for top
drives) must be removable with pipe or tools in the wellbore (i.e., flow tees, automatic
16
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
pipe wiping devices, rotary drilling heads, etc., must be either of two-piece construction
or sized so that it can pulled through the floor with the table bushings removed).
The above does not apply to CTUs.
1.4
For well classes V and VI and for critical sour wells, the stabbing valve must be
certified by the OEM or a P.Eng. as being capable of opening with 7000 kilopascals
(kPa) pressure below the valve.
The stabbing valve must be full opening and equipped with a valve operating wrench.
The inside BOP must be capable of stopping back flow up the drill string.
The stabbing valve and inside BOP, as well as associated tools, must be operable and
readily accessible on the rig floor or in the doghouse.
The drilling rig must be equipped with the necessary cross-over subs to enable the
make-up of the stabbing valve and inside BOP with the drill pipe, drill collars, or any
other tubulars in the well.
The stabbing valve must be equipped with handles if more than one person is
required to carry the valve. A full open hanger cap assembly may be used in place of
handles. The handles and hanger cap must be removable to allow the valve to be
stripped into the well.
The stabbing valve and inside BOP must be capable of being stripped into the
wellbore.
For critical sour wells, the stabbing valve and the inside BOP must be constructed of
materials that meet the current NACE MR0175 standards.
For coiled tubing units where the bottomhole assembly can be fully lubricated into or out
of the well (no staged deployment), a stabbing valve is not required. Where the
bottomhole assembly must be staged, a stabbing valve is required. There is no
requirement for an inside BOP on coiled tubing units.
1.5
The lower kelly cock valve must be certified by the OEM or a P.Eng. as being
capable of opening with 7000 kPa pressure below the valve.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
17
1.6
The lower kelly cock valve must be full opening and equipped with a valve operating
wrench.
For critical sour wells, the lower kelly cock valve must be constructed of materials
that meet the current NACE MR0175 standards.
Stripping Operations
For all well classes during normal drilling operations, the following requirements must be
met regarding stripping tubulars through the BOPs:
Stripping of any length of drill pipe or coiled tubing is not permitted through the
sealing element of an annular preventer that is part of the required BOP equipment
(see Appendix 3).
Stripping of any length of pipe/coiled tubing is not permitted through a pipe ram
preventer that is part of the required BOP equipment (see Appendix 3).
During well control situations, stripping through the annular preventer is permitted.
1.7
Shop Servicing and Testing of BOPs, Drill-Through Spools, and Flexible Bleed-off and
Kill-line Hoses
All BOPs, drill-through spools, drill-through adapter flanges and flexible bleed-off and
kill-line hoses used during the drilling operation must be shop serviced (dismantled and
repaired) and pressure tested at least once every three years according to the
manufacturers specifications or specifications prepared by a P.Eng. (see Appendix 5).
18
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Bleed-Off System
The blowout prevention system must include a bleed-off system for the purpose of
bleeding off well pressure.
2.1
Class I Wells
For class I wells, the bleed-off system consists of a diverter line, which is the line from
the BOP to the flare pit or flare tank and includes the HCR. The diverter must meet the
following requirements.
2.1.1
Diverter Line
The diverter line must have a working pressure at least equal to that of the required
BOP system (see Appendix 3).
The diverter line must have a minimum nominal diameter of 152.4 millimetres
(mm) throughout.
The diverter line must have an HCR installed on the drilling spool outlet.
The HCR must be connected directly to the drilling spool (no fluid turns or pipe
extensions). (See Appendix 3.)
The diverter line downstream of the HCR may contain directional changes provided
that they are made with right-angle (90) connections constructed of tees and crosses
blocked on fluid turns.
Directional changes in the diverter line may also be made using flexible hose
provided that the hose meets the requirements set out in Section 4.1: Bleed-off, Kill,
or Diverter Line(s).
The diverter line connections must be flanged, hammer union, threaded, or bolted
groove lock type.
The diverter line must be properly made up and connected at all times.
The end of the diverter line must terminate at least 50 m from the well in a flare pit or
flare tank. For exceptions to this requirement, see ID 91-3: Heavy Oil/Oil Sands
Operations and Directive 8: Surface Casing Depth Minimum Requirements, Section
1.1.
The diverter line must be adequately secured at 10 m intervals and the end of the line
must be secured as close as possible to the flare pit. Stakes or weights must be used,
as dictated by the soil conditions. Stakes used in sandy or loose soil conditions are
unacceptable.
Fluids turns such as elbows, tees, etc., are not permitted at the end of the diverter line
to direct wellbore effluent into a flare pit.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
19
2.2
The diverter line must be self-draining or some means be incorporated to ensure that
fluid can be drained from the line during winter operations. Precautions must be
taken to minimize environmental impact from spillage.
The diverter line must be laid in a straight line; however, a slight curvature of the line
is acceptable.
Prior to assembly, all connections between the BOP and the end of the diverter line
must be visually inspected. After assembly of the connections, an inspection must be
conducted to ensure proper make-up. The results of the inspections must be recorded
in the drilling logbook.
Bleed-off Line(s)
The bleed-off line(s) consists of the line from the BOP stack to the manifold and includes
both the hydraulically operated and manual valves.
The bleed-off line(s) must meet the following requirements:
20
The bleed off line(s) installed must meet the minimum pressure rating requirements
for the class of well being drilled (see Appendix 3).
For well classes V and VI and critical sour wells, the bleed-off line piping must
provide complete redundancy from the BOP stack through to the manifold, so that a
separate bleed-off line from each working spool connects to a separate manifold wing
(see Appendix 3 and Section 16: Sour and Critical Sour Wells).
All required studs, bolts, and nuts on any flange- or clamp-type connections must be
installed and properly made up. Whenever a connection is loosened or taken apart
after drill-out, a pressure test must be conducted on the connection. (It may be
necessary to set a plug or packer in the surface casing to conduct the pressure test.)
The bleed-off line(s) off the drilling spool(s) must contain two flanged valves. On the
primary bleed-off line, one of the valves must be hydraulically operated (the other
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
valve can be a manual valve) (see Appendix 3; also note that ram-type BOPs
manufactured with integral outlets may be used in place of drilling spools).
During normal drilling operations, the HCR on the primary bleed-off line must be in
the closed position and the manual valve(s) must be in the open position. The same
requirement applies if an HCR is installed on a secondary bleed-off line.
Piping extensions or fluid turns are not permitted between the drilling spool and the
innermost valve. The innermost valve must be connected directly to the drilling
spool. (See Appendix 3.) Crossover flanges between the drilling spool and the
innermost manual valve are permitted.
Piping extensions or fluid turns are permitted between the HCR and manual valve
provided that the HCR is the innermost valve.
Piping extensions or fluid turns are not permitted between the HCR and manual valve
if the manual valve is the innermost valve.
If the secondary bleed-off line (with two manual valves) is in use, piping extensions
or fluid turns are permitted between the manual valves provided that the innermost
valve is in the closed position.
All valves in the primary and secondary bleed-off lines must be operable.
All manual valves in the primary and secondary bleed-off lines must have the valve
handle(s) in place at all times.
Directional changes in the bleed-off line(s) downstream of the HCR and manual
valve(s) can be made using fluid turns or flexible hose. The flexible hose must meet
the requirements set out in Section 4.1: Bleed-off, Kill, or Diverter Line(s).
All fluid turns in the bleed-off line (where permitted) must be made with right-angle
(90) connections constructed of tees and crosses blocked on fluid turns.
The bleed-off line(s) must be connected to the drilling spool and choke manifold at
all times.
The bleed-off line(s) must be properly secured every 10 m (e.g., fastened to catwalk,
pipe racks, or staked).
For critical sour wells, the bleed-off lines must meet current NACE MR0175
standards.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
21
2.2.2
Choke Manifold
The choke manifold consists of high-pressure pipe, fittings, flanges, valves, pressure
gauges, and remotely and/or manually operated adjustable chokes.
The choke manifold must meet the following minimum requirements:
The choke manifold must meet the minimum pressure rating and conform to the
minimum choke manifold design (valves, chokes, piping, etc.) for the class of well
being drilled (see Appendix 3).
For critical sour wells, the choke manifold must conform to the minimum choke
manifold design (valves, chokes, piping, etc.) as outlined in Section 16, Figure 6. In
addition, the remotely operated choke (on the primary manifold wing) must be a
nonrubber sleeved choke.
All chokes must be labelled to identify the fully open and the fully closed positions.
All chokes and valves must be operable with the valve handle(s) in place at all times.
For well classes V and VI and critical sour wells, a separate casing pressure gauge is
required for each choke manifold wing.
If only surface casing has been set, the choke manifold casing pressure gauge(s) must
have readable increments of 250 kPa or less. The range of the casing pressure
gauge(s) must not be less than the maximum allowable casing pressure (MACP).
If intermediate casing is set, the choke manifold casing pressure gauge(s) must have
readable increments of 500 kPa or less. The range of the casing pressure gauge must
not be less than the pressure rating of the required BOP system.
For critical sour wells, the choke manifold must meet current NACE MR0175
standards.
The choke manifold must be located outside the substructure and readily accessible.
2.2.3
The remote drill pipe pressure gauge assembly must meet the following requirements:
22
The remote drill pipe pressure gauge assembly must have an accurate pressure gauge
and other necessary equipment installed or readily accessible for installation on the
standpipe (or other suitable connection) to provide the drill pipe pressure at the choke
manifold and at the remote choke control location (if in use and/or required).
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
The rig crew must assemble this equipment as part of the BOP drill (only if
equipment is not already installed).
The choke operator must be able to read the drill pipe pressure gauge when operating
the choke from the choke manifold or at the remote choke control location (if in use
and/or required).
All remote drill pipe pressure gauges must have isolation valves.
2.2.4
Degasser design must meet the dimensional specifications provided in IRP Volume 1:
Industry Recommended Practices for Drilling Critical Sour Wells, Section 1.7: Mud Gas
Separators. It is recommended that the degasser be constructed of materials that meet
NACE MR0175 specifications for sour gas environments.
The minimum sizing requirements for mud-gas separators, inlet lines and vent lines are
outlined in Table 1: Vessel Sizing and Vent Line Specifications. Note that any variation
from Table 1 of minimum vent line diameter size must be determined by calculation.
Table 1. Vessel sizing and vent line specifications
Minimum
Minimum
vessel
Well
Well depth
vessel inlet
diameter*
class
rating (m)
(mm)
(mm)
II
0-750
355.6
50.8
III
750-1250
406.4
50.8
1250-1800
609.6
76.2
IV
1800-2700
660.4
76.2
2700-3600
762.0
76.2
V
3600-6000
914.4
101.6
VI
6000+
914.4
101.6
With 1 m
fluid head
101.6
101.6
152.4
172.9
203.2
254.0
254.0
With 2 m
fluid head
101.6
101.6
127.6
152.4
152.4
203.2
203.2
* Vessel diameter determined using a vapour load constant (k) of 0.11 m/s.
** All sizes are inside diameter (ID)
2.2.5
Primary Degasser
For well classes II-VI and critical sour wells, a primary degasser must be installed that
meets the following requirements:
The degasser must meet the minimum sizing requirements for the well depth (see
Table 1).
The degasser must be ready for service, fully connected, and immersed in drilling
fluid to the minimum fluid level requirement for the well class (unless equipment,
piping, connections, and procedures are in place to allow immediate filling of the
tank). For minimum fluid level requirements, see Table 1.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
23
2.2.6
For critical sour wells a secondary degasser is required unless the following minimum
conditions can be met:
The maximum potential H2S release rate is less than 2.0 m3/s and the calculated
emergency planning zone (EPZ) does not intersect an urban centre, and
the geological prognosis of the proposed well is clearly established on the basis of
offset wells, and
The secondary unit may be either an atmospheric open-bottom degasser (that meets the
criteria set out in Sections 2.2.4 and 2.2.5 for primary degassers) or an enclosed degasser.
Since enclosed degassers are not commonly found on drilling rigs, design specifications
are not provided in this directive. Design specifications of enclosed degassers are
available in IRP Volume 1, Section 1.7: Mud Gas Separators.
2.2.7
Degasser Inlet
The degasser inlet line(s) from the choke manifold to the degasser must meet the
following requirements:
24
For class II wells, the degasser inlet line must have a working pressure 7 MPa up to
the connection on the degasser.
For well classes III-VI, the degasser inlet line(s) must have a working pressure
14 MPa (schedule 40 pipe is acceptable) up to the connection on the degasser.
For wells drilled to a depth of not more than 1250 m, the degasser inlet line(s) must
be (as a minimum) the same size or larger than the choke size in use. (See Appendix
3 for minimum choke size.)
For wells drilled deeper than 1250 m, the degasser inlet line(s) must be (as a
minimum) 25.4 mm larger than the minimum required choke size. (See Appendix 3
for minimum choke size.) If a larger choke is installed, then the inlet line to the
degasser must be (as a minimum) the same diameter.
The degasser inlet line must be properly made up and connected to the manifold and
the degasser at all times.
The degasser inlet line(s) may contain directional changes provided they are made
with right-angle (90) connections constructed of tees and crosses blocked on fluid
turns.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Directional changes in the degasser inlet line(s) may also be made using flexible
hose, provided the hose meets the requirements set out in Section 4.3: Degasser Inlet
Line(s).
The degasser inlet line must be void of fluid traps, blown out with air, heated, or
filled with a nonfreezing fluid that is miscible with water during cold weather
operations.
Valves or other mechanical restrictions are not permitted in the degasser inlet line.
(In-line glycol recovery drainage ports are acceptable provided they do not
compromise system integrity or function.)
The section of the degasser inlet line from the manifold to the mud tank must be
secured at 10 m intervals, and the segment running vertically adjacent to the mud
tank wall must be secured in place.
Prior to assembly, all connections between the choke manifold and the degasser must
be visually inspected. After assembly of the connections, an inspection must be
conducted to ensure proper make-up. The results of the inspections must be recorded
in the drilling tour book.
For critical sour wells (when two degassers are deployed), a separate degasser inlet
line from each manifold wing to each degasser is required.
Degasser inlet lines should be accessible full length, and it is recommended that no
portion of the line be submerged in drilling fluid. If a portion of the line is
submerged, it must be tested annually to ensure competent wall thickness.
Documentation records of this test must be available at the rig site.
2.2.8
The vent line must be designed of a suitable material composition so that it maintains
its shape, maintains a seal at the connections (no leaks), and has a steel end
(minimum of 9 m) to prevent burn back.
The vent line must be properly made up and connected to the degasser at all times.
Vent line(s) connections may be made up using flanged, hammer union, threaded,
inflatable air union, clamp type, or other suitable connections.
Directional changes in the vent line(s) may be made with radiused bend fittings or
flexible hose(s) provided the hose(s) meets the requirements set out in Section 4.4:
Degasser Vent Line.
The vent line(s) must be either self-draining or have some means incorporated to
ensure that fluid can be drained from the line(s) (the vent line must be void of fluids
during drilling operations). Precautions must be taken to minimize environmental
impact from spillage.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
25
The section of the line running vertically adjacent to the mud tank wall must be
rigidly secured in place. The remainder of the degasser vent line does not require
securing.
The vent line must terminate in a flare pit located at least 50 m from the well.
For critical sour wells (when two degassers are deployed), each degasser must have a
separate vent line to the flare pit or flare tank.
Degasser vent lines should be accessible full length, and it is recommended that no
portion of the line be submerged in drilling fluid. If a portion of the line is
submerged, it must be tested annually to ensure competent wall thickness.
Documentation records of this test must be available at the rig site.
2.2.9
Flare Line(s)
The flare line(s) consists of the line from the choke manifold to the flare pit or flare tank.
The flare line(s) must meet the following requirements:
26
For class II wells, the flare line must have a working pressure 7 MPa.
For well classes III-VI, the flare line(s) must have a working pressure 14 MPa
(schedule 40 pipe is acceptable). If a flare tank is in use, this pressure rating must be
maintained up to the connection on the flare tank.
The flare line(s) must have a minimum nominal diameter of 76.2 mm throughout.
The flare line(s) must be properly made up and connected to the manifold at all
times.
The flare line(s) may contain directional changes, provided they are made with rightangle (90) connections constructed of tees and crosses blocked on fluid turns.
Fluids turns are not permitted at the end of the flare line to direct wellbore effluent
into a flare pit.
Directional changes in the flare line(s) can also be made using flexible hose, provided
the hose meets the requirements set out in Section 4.2: Flare and Emergency Flare
Line(s).
The flare line(s) connections must be flanged, hammer union (metal to metal), or
threaded.
The flare line(s) must be adequately secured at 10 m intervals, and the end of the
line(s) must be secured as close as possible to the flare pit. Stakes or weights must be
used as dictated by the soil conditions. Stakes used in sandy or loose soil conditions
are unacceptable.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
2.3
Where a flare tank is in use, interconnecting cable mechanisms may be used in place
of stakes or weights.
The end of the flare line(s) must terminate at least 50 m from the well in a flare pit or
flare tank.
The flare line(s) must be either self-draining or have some means incorporated to
ensure that fluid can be drained from the line(s) during winter operations. Precautions
must be taken to minimize environmental impact from spillage.
The flare line(s) should be laid in a straight line from the manifold to the flare
pit/tank. However, a slight curvature of the flare line(s) is acceptable.
Prior to assembly, all connections between the choke manifold and the end of the
flare line(s) must be visually inspected. After assembly of the connections, an
inspection must be conducted to ensure the flare line has been properly connected.
The results of the inspections must be recorded in the drilling tour reports.
For well classes V and VI and critical sour wells, a minimum of two flare lines must
be installed.
Flare Pits
The flare pit must
2.4
have side and back walls rising not less than 2 m above ground level;
Flare Tanks
For all classes of wells, the following minimum standards apply to flare tanks:
All flare tanks must be constructed of steel to ensure fluid containment during
prolonged exposure to extreme heat. Structural integrity of the flare tank must be
maintained.
The flare tank wall directly opposite all flare/diverter line(s) connected to the flare
tank must include an impingement plate to resist erosion from high-velocity gas,
liquids, and solids.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
27
28
The flare tank must be positioned a minimum distance of 50 m from the well. (For
exceptions to this requirement, see ID 91-3: Heavy Oil/Oil Sands Operations or
Directive 8, Section 1.1.)
The flare tank must be equipped with a minimum 50.8 mm liquid loading steel line
that is connected at all times for the purpose of drawing fluids from the tank. The
connection point of the loading line must extend a minimum of 9 m from the flare
tank.
Degasser vent lines must be kept separated from the liquid in the flare tank. The
line(s) may be laid on the ground next to the flare tank, provided no fire hazard
exists.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Kill System
With the exception of class I wells, the blowout prevention system must include a kill
system for the purpose of pumping fluid into the well.
The kill system includes the mud line/standpipe isolation valve(s), all valves (manual/
check) off the drilling spool(s), and the kill line(s): that is, the line(s) from the mud line/
standpipe isolation valve(s) to the valves on the drilling spool(s).
3.1
Class I Wells
Class I wells do not require a kill system.
3.2
The kill system must meet the minimum specifications (size, number of lines, flanged
valves, etc.) for the class of well being drilled. (See Appendix 3. For critical sour
wells, also see Section 16, Figure 5.)
The kill system must have the same minimum pressure rating as the required BOP
system from the drilling spool connection up to and including the isolation valve(s)
on the mud line/standpipe connection.
The kill system must have (as a minimum) two flanged valves installed on the
drilling spool(s) (see Appendix 3, also note that ram type BOPs manufactured with
integral outlets may be used in place of the drilling spool(s)).
For critical sour wells, the kill system must be connected to two drilling spools. Each
spool must have two flanged valves and one flanged check valve installed (see
Section 16, Figure 5). For critical sour wells, it is acceptable to have only one kill line
running from the isolation valve on the mud line/standpipe that is teed to both
flanged check valves.
Piping extensions or fluid turns are not permitted between the drilling spool(s) and
the innermost manual valve(s). The innermost valve must be connected directly to the
drilling spool. Crossover flanges between the drilling spool and the innermost manual
valve are permitted.
The valve next to the drilling spool must be in the closed position during normal
drilling operations.
All valves in the kill system must be operable with the valve handles in place at all
times.
The kill system must be valved to isolate the mud line/standpipe from the kill line(s).
Connections from the last valve on the drilling spool(s) to the mud line/standpipe
may be made using flange, clamp type, threaded fittings, or hammer unions.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
29
3.3
All flange, clamp type, threaded fittings, and hammer union connections used in the
kill system must be properly installed and made up (this includes all studs, bolts,
nuts, etc.).
It is recommended that the kill line(s) be connected at all times. Only one broken
connection is permitted if the line is disconnected. In the event of a well control
situation, this line must be able to be reconnected immediately.
Flexible hose(s) may be used in the kill line(s) provided the hose meets the
requirements set out in Section 4.1: Bleed-off, Kill, or Diverter Line(s).
For critical sour wells, the portion of the kill system from the drilling spools up to
and including the check valves must meet current NACE MR0175 standards.
30
The kill system must meet the minimum specifications (size, number of lines, flanged
valves, etc.) for the class of well being drilled. (See Appendix 3. For critical sour
wells, also see Section 16, Figure 5.)
The section of the kill system from the drilling spool connection up to and including
the check valves must have the same pressure rating (as a minimum) as the required
BOP system.
The kill system must have a minimum of two flanged valves and a check valve
installed on each drilling spool (see Appendix 3).
The kill system must be valved to isolate the mud line/standpipe from the kill line(s).
The kill line(s) and the isolation valve(s) on the mud line/standpipe must have a
minimum pressure rating of 34 MPa. It is acceptable to have only one kill line
running from the isolation valve on the mud line/standpipe that is teed to both
flanged check valves.
Piping extensions or fluid turns are not permitted between the drilling spools and the
innermost manual valves. The innermost valves must be connected directly to the
drilling spools. Crossover flanges between the drilling spools and the innermost
manual valves are permitted.
The valves next to the drilling spools must be in the closed position during normal
drilling operations.
All valves in the kill system must be operable with the valve handles in place at all
times.
Connections from the check valves to isolation valve(s) on the mud line/standpipe
may be made using flange, clamp type, threaded fittings, or hammer unions.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
All flange, clamp type, threaded fittings, and hammer union connections used in the
kill system must be properly installed and made up (this includes all studs, bolts,
nuts, etc.).
It is recommended that the kill line(s) be connected at all times. Only one broken
connection is permitted if the line is disconnected. In the event of a well control
situation, this line must be able to be reconnected immediately.
Flexible hose(s) may be used in the kill line(s) provided the hose meets the
requirements set out in Section 4.1: Bleed-off, Kill, or Diverter Line(s).
For critical sour wells, the portion of the kill system from the drilling spools up to
and including the check valves must meet current NACE MR0175 standards.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
31
Flexible Hoses
4.1
4.2
Flexible hose(s) used in the bleed-off and diverter line(s) must have a minimum
working pressure equal to that of the required BOP system (see Appendix 3).
Flexible hose(s) used in the kill line(s) for well classes II to IV must have a minimum
working pressure equal to that of the required BOP system (see Appendix 3).
Flexible hose(s) used in the kill line(s) for well classes V and VI must have a
minimum working pressure equal or greater than 34 MPa.
The hose must have a minimum nominal diameter that meets the requirements for the
class of well being drilled (see Appendix 3).
The hose must be fire sheathed to provide an adequate fire-resistant rating if used
within 7 m of the well. Adequate fire-resistant sheathing for flexible hoses used in the
bleed-off, kill, or diverter line(s) is defined as a hose assembly that can withstand a
minimum of 5 minutes of 700C flame temperature at maximum working pressure
without failure.
The hose must maintain its original shape and not contain bends with a radius less
than the manufacturers specified minimum bending radius.
The hose must be supported to prevent stresses on connecting valves and piping and
protected from mechanical damage.
Flexible hose(s) used in the diverter line(s) are not permitted within 9 m of the flare
pit or flare tank.
For critical sour wells, the metallic components of the flexible hose(s) in the bleedoff line(s) must meet current NACE MR0175 standards.
For critical sour wells, the elastomeric components of the flexible hose(s) must be
suitable for sour service.
The hose must be shop serviced and tested once every three years. Certification must
be available at the rig. (See Appendix 5.)
32
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
For class II wells, the hose(s) must have a working pressure equal to or greater than
7 MPa.
For well classes III-VI, the hose(s) must have a working pressure equal to or greater
than 14 MPa.
The hose must maintain its original shape and not contain bends with a radius less
than the manufacturers specified minimum bending radius.
The hose must be fire sheathed to provide an adequate fire-resistant rating if used
within 7 m of the well. Adequate fire-resistant sheathing for flexible hoses used in the
flare or emergency flare line(s) is defined as a hose assembly that can withstand a
minimum of 5 minutes of 700C flame temperature at maximum working pressure
without failure.
Flexible hose(s) used in the flare or emergency flare line(s) are not permitted within
9 m of the flare pit or flare tank.
An emergency flare line is required in the high hazard area and for type 3 and 4 surface
casing reductions (see Section 15).
4.3
For class II wells, the hose must have a working pressure equal to or greater than
7 MPa.
For well classes III-VI, the hose(s) must have a working pressure equal to or greater
than 14 MPa.
The hose must be the same size as the required inlet line(s) (see Table 1 in Section
2.2.4).
The hose must maintain its original shape and not contain bends with a radius less
than the manufacturers specified minimum bending radius.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
33
4.4
34
The hose must be the same minimal nominal diameter throughout as the required
vent line(s) (see Table 1 in Section 2.2.4).
The hose must maintain its original shape throughout the entire length of the hose.
Flexible hose(s) used in the vent line(s) are not permitted within 9 m of the flare pit
or flare tank.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Winterizing
5.1
sufficient heat must be provided to the BOP stack, all associated valves, choke
manifold, and accumulator system to maintain their effectiveness;
the bleed-off, kill diverter, flare, and degasser inlet line(s) must be
- empty, or
- filled with a nonfreezing fluid (e.g., antifreeze) that is miscible with water, or
- heated.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
35
Accumulator System
All BOPs must be hydraulically operated and connected to an accumulator system.
The accumulator system must meet the following requirements:
For class I wells, it must be capable of providing, without recharging, hydraulic fluid
of sufficient volume and pressure to open the hydraulically operated valve (HCR) on
the diverter line, close the annular preventer on drill pipe/coiled tubing, and retain a
minimum pressure of 8400 kPa on the accumulator system.
For well classes II, III, and IV, it must be capable of providing, without recharging,
hydraulic fluid of sufficient volume and pressure to open the HCR on the bleed-off
line, close the annular preventer on drill pipe/coiled tubing, close one ram preventer,
and retain a minimum pressure of 8400 kPa on the accumulator system. (See Section
6.1.1 if additional BOP equipment has been installed and is in use.)
For well classes V and VI, it must be capable of providing, without recharging,
hydraulic fluid of sufficient volume and pressure to open the HCR on the bleed-off
line, close the annular preventer on the drill pipe/coiled tubing, close two ram
preventers, and retain a minimum pressure of 8400 kPa on the accumulator system.
In addition to the above functions, the accumulator system for CTUs drilling classes
V and VI wells must also provide sufficient volume and pressure to shear the coiled
tubing and retain on the accumulator system a minimum pressure of 8400 kPa or the
minimum pressure required to shear the coiled tubing, whichever is greater (sizing
calculations required; see Section 6.5).
If the existing accumulator system cannot meet these requirements because of the
closing volume requirements for the shear ram, the accumulator systems capacity
and/or pressure must be increased or a separate accumulator system must be installed.
It is also acceptable to supplement the existing accumulator system with a nitrogen
(N2) booster that will provide sufficient volume and pressure to shear the coiled
tubing and retain a minimum accumulator pressure of 8400 kPa or the minimum
pressure required to shear the coiled tubing, whichever is greater.
For critical sour wells, it must be capable of providing, without recharging, hydraulic
fluid of sufficient volume and pressure to open the HCR on the bleed-off line, close
the annular preventer on the drill pipe/coiled tubing, close, open, and close one ram
preventer, and if blind/shear rams are installed, provide sufficient volume and
pressure to shear the drill pipe/coiled tubing, and retain on the accumulator system a
minimum pressure of 8400 kPa or the minimum pressure required to shear the drill
pipe/coiled tubing, whichever is greater (sizing calculations required; see Section
6.5).
If the existing accumulator system cannot meet these requirements because of the
addition of the blind/shear rams, the accumulator systems capacity and/or pressure
must be increased or a separate accumulator system must be installed. It is also
acceptable to supplement the existing accumulator system with a nitrogen (N2)
booster that will provide sufficient volume and pressure to shear the drill pipe/coiled
36
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
tubing and retain a minimum accumulator pressure of 8400 kPa or the minimum
pressure required to shear the drill pipe/coiled tubing, whichever is greater.
The accumulator system must be installed and operated in accordance with the
accumulator manufacturers specifications. All accumulator specifications must be
available at the rig (e.g., manufacturer, number of bottles, capacity of bottles, design
pressure).
The accumulator system must be connected to the blowout preventers and the HCR
on the bleed-off line, with hydraulic BOP lines (steel and/or nonsteel) of working
pressure equal to or greater than the manufacturers design pressure of the
accumulator.
All nonsteel hydraulic BOP lines located within 7 m of the wellbore must be
completely sheathed with adequate fire-resistant sheathing.
Adequate fire-resistant sheathing for hydraulic BOP hoses is defined as a hose
assembly that can withstand a minimum of 5 minutes of 700C flame temperature at
maximum working pressure without failure.
All hydraulic BOP line end fittings located within 7 m of the wellbore must be fire
rated to withstand a minimum of 5 minutes of 700C flame temperature at maximum
working pressure without failure.
For well classes I-IV, the accumulator system must be equipped with an automatic
pressure-controlled recharge pump capable of recovering, within 5 minutes, the
accumulator pressure drop resulting from the function test (see Section 6.4.1) of the
BOP components (for the required well class) and the HCR on the diverter/bleed-off
line.
For well classes V and VI and critical sour wells, the accumulator system must be
equipped with two separate automatic pressure-controlled recharge pumps. The
primary pump must be capable of recovering, within 5 minutes, the accumulator
pressure drop resulting from the function test (see Section 6.4.1) of the BOP
components and the HCR on the bleed-off line. The secondary pump must be capable
of recovering, within 5 minutes, the accumulator pressure drop resulting from
opening the HCR and closing the annular preventer on drill pipe (see Section 6.4.1).
A check valve must be installed in the accumulator hydraulic system for all well
classes. The check valve must be located between the accumulator charge pump(s)
and the accumulator bottles.
The accumulator system must be capable of closing any ram type BOP within 30
seconds.
It must be capable of closing any annular type BOP of a size up to and including
350 mm bore diameter within 60 seconds.
It must be capable of closing any annular type BOP of a size greater than 350 mm
bore diameter within 90 seconds.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
37
It must be equipped with readily accessible fitting(s) and gauge to determine the
precharge pressure of the accumulator bottles.
It must be housed to ensure the system can be protected from the well in the event of
an uncontrolled flow.
The vent on the accumulator reservoir must be installed in such a manner that venting
takes place outside the building (side or top of building).
6.1.1
If additional BOP equipment has been installed and is in use, there must be sufficient
usable hydraulic fluid available to close the additional BOP component(s) and meet the
requirements of Section 6.1.
All additional BOP equipment that is not in service must be locked out, have the control
handles removed, or have the lines disconnected.
6.2
For class I wells, the backup N2 system that must be capable of providing N2 of
sufficient volume and pressure to open the HCR on the diverter line, close the
annular preventer on the drill pipe/coiled tubing, and retain a minimum pressure of
8400 kPa on the backup N2 system.
For well classes II, III, and IV, the backup N2 system must be capable of providing
N2 of sufficient volume and pressure to open the HCR on the bleed-off line, close the
annular preventer on the drill pipe/coiled tubing, close one ram preventer, and retain
a minimum pressure of 8400 kPa on the backup N2 system. (See Section 6.2.1 if
additional BOP equipment has been installed and is in use.)
For well classes V and VI, the backup N2 system must be capable of providing N2 of
sufficient volume and pressure to open the HCR on the bleed-off line, close the
annular preventer on the drill pipe/coiled tubing, close two ram preventers, and retain
a minimum pressure of 8400 kPa on the backup N2 system.
In addition to the above functions, the backup N2 system for CTUs drilling class V
and VI wells must also provide sufficient volume and pressure to shear the coiled
tubing and retain on the backup N2 system a minimum pressure of 8400 kPa or the
minimum pressure required to shear the coiled tubing, whichever is greater.
If the existing backup N2 system cannot meet these requirements because of the
closing volume requirements of the blind shear ram, the backup N2 systems capacity
38
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
For critical sour wells, the backup N2 system must be capable of providing N2 of
sufficient volume and pressure to open the HCR on the bleed-off line, close the
annular preventer on the drill pipe/coiled tubing, close, open, and close one ram
preventer, and if blind/shear rams are installed, provide sufficient volume and
pressure to shear the drill pipe/coiled tubing, and retain on the backup N2 system a
minimum pressure of 8400 kPa or the minimum pressure required to shear the drill
pipe/coiled tubing, whichever is greater.
For critical sour wells, if the existing backup N2 system cannot meet these
requirements because of the addition of the blind/shear rams, the backup N2 systems
capacity and/or pressure must be increased or a separate backup N2 system must be
installed. It is also acceptable to supplement the existing backup N2 system with an
N2 booster (this may be the same N2 booster system that supplements the
accumulator).
The backup N2 system must be connected so that it will operate the BOPs and HCR
on the bleed-off line, as described above, and not allow the N2 to discharge into the
accumulator reservoir or the accumulator bottles (see Appendix 3).
When the backup N2 system is tied in downstream of an accumulator regulator
valve(s), isolation valves are required to prevent venting of N2 through the regulator
into the accumulator reservoir tank.
equipped with a gauge or have a gauge readily available for installation to determine
the backup N2 pressure;
readily accessible;
housed to ensure that the system can be protected from the well in the event of an
uncontrolled flow;
6.2.1
If additional BOP equipment has been installed and is in use, there must be sufficient
usable backup N2 available to close the additional BOP component(s) and meet the
requirements of Section 6.2.
All additional BOP equipment that is not in service must be locked out, have the control
handles removed, or have the lines disconnected.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
39
6.3
BOP Controls
The accumulator system must include a set of operating controls that are readily
accessible from the rig floor (drillers position) and a set of remote operating controls
(remote position) for each BOP and the HCR on the diverter/bleed-off line.
6.3.1
Floor Controls
Each BOP component and the HCR in the diverter/bleed-off line must have a separate
control located near the drillers position.
The BOP floor operating controls must also be
capable of opening and closing each BOP component and the HCR in the
diverter/bleed-off line;
6.3.2
Remote Controls
Each BOP component and the HCR in the diverter/bleed-off line must have a separate
control located at the remote position (typically located at the accumulator).
The BOP remote operating controls must also be
capable of opening and closing each BOP component and the HCR in the diverter/
bleed-off line;
properly installed, correctly identified, and show function operations (i.e., open and
close);
readily accessible and housed to ensure that the remote controls can be protected
from the well in the event of an uncontrolled flow; and
adequately heated.
6.3.3
The master hydraulic control manifold contains all of the four-way valves and regulators
that control the open and close functions of the BOPs and the HCR on the diverter/bleedoff line. The four-way valve directs accumulator hydraulic fluid under pressure to the
BOPs.
For critical sour wells, the master hydraulic control manifold must be located at the
remote position.
40
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
For well classes I to VI (noncritical), it is recommended that the master hydraulic control
manifold be located at the remote position (typically located at the accumulator).
6.4
Procedure
When conducting a BOP function test, the following procedures must be followed:
If there is no drill pipe in the well, have the crew run in a single joint in order to
function test the annular and pipe rams.
Have the crew drain the BOP stack (summer and winter). During winter operations,
have the crew close the manual valve in the bleed-off line (for the function test only)
to ensure that no drilling fluid enters the line (or, if antifreeze is used in the line, it is
not lost from the line).
Have the crew shut off the accumulator recharge pump. The accumulator system
pressure at the time of the inspection must be used for the BOP function test. The
accumulator must not be recharged prior to conducting the test.
Have the function test conducted using the BOP controls that actuate the hydraulic
four-way valve controls on the master hydraulic control manifold.
For class I wells, have the crew open the HCR on the diverter line and close the
annular preventer.
For well classes II to VI, have the crew open the HCR on the bleed-off line, close the
annular preventer, and close the pipe ram preventer. (See Section 6.1.1 if additional
BOP equipment has been installed and is in use.)
For well classes V and VI, have the crew open the HCR on the bleed-off line, close
the annular preventer, and close both sets of pipe ram preventers. (See Section 6.1.1
if additional BOP equipment has been installed and is in use.)
For critical sour wells, have the crew open the HCR on the primary bleed-off line
(both HCRs if two are in use), close the annular preventer, close both sets of pipe ram
preventers, and open one ram preventer.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
41
Visually check the position of the annular, rams, and the HCR (to ensure that they
functioned properly).
After the function test is completed, observe and record the accumulator pressure.
The accumulator pressure must not drop below 8400 kPa.
For critical sour wells and CTUs drilling class V and VI wells, if blind/shear rams are
installed, an accumulator sizing calculation must be conducted (see Section 6.1 and
Appendix 7, sample calculation #2, for critical sour wells).
Have the crew turn on the primary recharge pump. The accumulator must recharge to
the original starting pressure (the accumulator pressure at which the BOP function
test started) within 5 minutes.
Have the crew open the pipe rams, open the annular, close the HCR, and open the
manual valve on the bleed-off line.
To ensure that the secondary recharge pump is adequate (for well classes V and IV
and critical sour wells), have the crew shut off the primary and secondary
accumulator recharge pumps. Have the crew open the HCR on the primary bleed-off
line and close the annular preventer (on drill pipe). Using the secondary pump only,
recharge the accumulator system to the original starting pressure (the accumulator
pressure at which the BOP function test started). System must recharge within 5
minutes.
Have the crew remove the single joint of drill pipe from the well (if one was run).
Have the crew function test the blind rams to ensure that they function properly (if no
pipe in the hole).
6.4.2
The annular(s) and pipe rams must be function tested daily (as a minimum).
Blind rams must be function tested daily when the drill string is out of the hole.
For wells with a diverter system installed, the annular and HCR must be function
tested prior to commencement of drilling.
6.4.3
Recording
The actual BOP components function tested by the crews must be recorded in the drilling
logbook (e.g., annular preventer function tested annular fully closed in 20 seconds).
42
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
6.5
System Specifications
The inspector must determine and record the accumulator systems make, design
pressure, accumulator system pressure (upstream of any regulators), accumulator bottle
size(s), number of accumulator bottles, and total accumulator volumetric capacity (see
Table 2: Accumulator Bottle Capacity (page 46). The accumulator system pressure at the
time of the inspection must be used for the accumulator sizing calculations.
When conducting an accumulator sizing calculation, the inspector should complete a
Drilling BOP/Accumulator/Backup Nitrogen Data worksheet (see Worksheet No. 1:
BOP/Accumulator/Backup Nitrogen Data, page 47).
6.5.2
The inspector must have the crew check the precharge pressure (if wellbore conditions
allow) on each accumulator bottle to determine the average precharge pressure. This
requires depressurizing the accumulator. The inspector must record the average pressure
(see Table 3: Manufacturers Recommended Precharge Pressures).
6.5.3
Method 1 uses a graph and is the preferred method to be used during inspections
because of its simplicity.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
43
6.5.4
Method 1
Determine usable accumulator fluid volume above 8400 kPa using Figure 1 and the
following steps:
Using Figure 1, plot the accumulator system pressure and the average precharge
pressures (obtained from Sections 6.5.1 and 6.5.2 respectively).
Follow the accumulator system pressure line on the graph until it intersects with the
vertical precharge pressure line.
Then follow on the horizontal line to the left vertical axis of the graph and read the
percentage (0-60%) from Percent of Accumulator Fluid Usable Above 8400 kPa.
6.5.5
Determine the total hydraulic fluid volume needed to close the required BOP components
and open the HCR on the bleed-off line (see Appendix 9: BOP Fluid Volume
Requirements). Include the volume required to operate any additional BOP components
in use.
6.5.6
Compare the total fluid volume needed to close the required BOP components (and any
additional BOP equipment in use) and open the HCR on the diverter/bleed-off line with
the volume of usable accumulator hydraulic fluid at a minimum pressure of 8400 kPa,
calculated earlier.
44
The accumulator is adequately sized if the calculated usable fluid volume available
(at a minimum pressure of 8400 kPa) is greater than the fluid volume needed to close
the required BOP components, open the HCR on the diverter/bleed-off line, and
operate any additional BOP equipment in use (see Example 1: Accumulator Sizing
Calculation on next page).
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
If two sets of pipe rams are required or in service, the closing volume for each set must be included in the
calculations.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
45
2
3
15.1
30.3
45.4
60.6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
34.1
68.1
102.2
136.3
170.3
204.4
238.5
272.5
306.6
340.7
11 gal
bottles2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
litres3
15 gal
bottles2
litres3
37.9
75.7
113.6
151.4
189.3
227.1
265.0
302.8
340.7
378.5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
53.0
106.0
159.0
212.0
265.0
318.0
371.0
424.0
477.0
530.0
Spherical
80 gal
bottles2
litres3
1
2
3
4
299.0
598.1
897.1
1196.2
Accumulator bottles are sized in U.S. gallons (U.S. gallons x 3.7854 = litres). One U.S. gallon has been subtracted from the nominal size of
each accumulator bottle to account for the displacement of the bladder or float assembly (required when determining accumulator volumetric
capacity).
Nominal volume in U.S. gallons.
Actual volume in litres (one U.S. gallon has already been subtracted from these bottles prior to converting to litres).
5 250
14 000
7 000
21 000
7 000
34 000
10 300
1 When
conducting accumulator-sizing calculations, the accumulator is considered adequate, regardless of its precharge pressure, if sufficient
usable fluid is available to complete the required BOP function tests and maintain a minimum pressure of 8400 kPa on the accumulator
system, or if blind/shear rams are in service, the minimum pressure required to shear the coiled tubing/drill pipe, whichever is greater (see
Appendix 7).
46
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
CONTRACTOR
STACK:
PRESSURE RATING
kPa
SIZE
mm
NACE TRIM
NACE CERTIFIED
Annular
Annular
MAKE
MODEL
CLOSING VOLUME
Ram : Pipe
Rams
MAKE
LITRES
MODEL
CLOSING VOLUME
Ram : Blind
Rams
MAKE
LITRES
MODEL
CLOSING VOLUME
HCR :
Spool
MAKE
LITRES
SIZE
OPENING VOLUME
Ram : Pipe
Rams
MAKE
LITRES
MODEL
CLOSING VOLUME
Spool
TOTAL VOLUME
LITRES
LITRES
Casing bowl
ACCUMULATOR DATA
Make
Number of bottles
Bottle capacity
Average N2 pressure
Bottle capacity
(L)
(L)
(L)
Number of bottles
(L)
(kPa)
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
47
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0
10
11
12
13
Figure 1. Usable accumulator fluid volume above 8400 kPa (Drawing credit: Ken Caldwell)
48
14
15
16
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
17
18
19
20
21
6.6
System Specifications
The inspector must determine and record the number, capacity and average pressure of
the backup N2 bottle(s) in service (see Figure 2: Usable N2 Fluid Volume Above
8400 kPa).
A Drilling BOP/Accumulator/Backup Nitrogen Data worksheet should be completed (see
Worksheet No. 1: Drilling BOP/Accumulator Data).
6.6.2
Method 1 uses a graph and is the preferred method to be used during inspections
because of its simplicity (see Section 6.6.3). As illustrated in this section, this method
assumes that all N2 bottles are the same size.
Method 2, shown in Appendix 8, is the alternate method and requires more detailed
calculations. The graph used in Method 1 is derived from the equations shown in
Method 2.
Method 1
Determine usable backup N2 fluid volume at a minimum pressure of 8400 kPa using
Figure 2 and the following steps:
Using Figure 2, plot the average pressure of the bottle(s) in service on the left vertical
axis.
Draw a horizontal line to the right until it intersects the actual bottle size line in use.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures ( February 2006)
49
Then, draw a perpendicular line from this intersection point down to the horizontal
axis.
Now multiply the number of bottle(s) by the equivalent litres of usable N2.
Equivalent litres of usable N2, (at a minimum pressure of 8400 kPa)
= Equivalent litres of usable N2 x number of backup N2 bottle(s)
6.6.4
Determine the total fluid volume needed to close the required BOP components and open
the HCR on the diverter/bleed-off line (see Appendix 9). Include the volume required to
operate any additional BOP equipment in use.
6.6.5
Compare the total fluid volume needed to close the required BOP components, open the
HCR on the diverter/bleed-off line, and operate any additional BOP equipment in use
with the volume of equivalent litres of usable backup N2 at a minimum pressure of 8400
kPa calculated earlier.
50
The backup N2 supply is adequate if the calculated equivalent litres of usable backup
N2 is greater than the fluid volume required to close the required BOP components,
open the HCR on the diverter/bleed-off line, and operate any additional BOP
equipment in use (see Example 2: Backup N2 Sizing Calculation).
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
2
42 L
17.5 mPa
14.0 mPa
= 15.75 mPa
37 L
= 74.0 L
= 28.1 L
= 12.5 L
= 2.0 L
= 42.6 L
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
51
35
34
33
21 L
32
42 L
50 L
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
Bottle dimensions
Height
Diameter
Capacity
1.52 m
0.235 m
50 L fluid
1.42 m
0.230 m
42 L fluid
1.22 m
0.180 m
21 L fluid
*Bottle height must be taken from
the top of the valve
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8.4
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Figure 2. Usable nitrogen fluid volume above 8400 kPa (Drawing credit: Ken Caldwell)
52
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
130
140
150
160
170
Pressure Testing
Prior to drilling out the surface, intermediate, and production casing, the licensee must
ensure that the following components (when required or in use) are pressure tested: each
BOP, casing string, stabbing valve, inside BOP, lower kelly cock, choke manifold, bleedoff and kill lines and all associated valves.
7.1
Class I Wells
Class I wells do not require BOP pressure testing. However, a leak test of a minimal
pressure is recommended.
7.2
Well Classes II to VI
For well classes II to VI, pressure testing must be conducted as follows:
All valves in the choke manifold and bleed-off and kill systems must be individually
pressure tested to confirm their isolation.
Adjustable chokes do not require pressure testing. It is recommended that the
adjustable chokes be confirmed as functional by pumping fluid through the chokes
and noting restriction ability.
The stabbing valve, inside BOP, and lower kelly cock (when required or in use) must
be pressure tested from the bottom.
An inside BOP consisting of pump-down check valve and a landing sub that is
integral part of the drill string must also be pressure tested.
A casing hanger plug must be run to isolate the intermediate/production casing from
the BOPs if the required test pressure will exceed 67 per cent of the bottomhole
pressure (BHP) at the casing setting depth.
Variable bore rams must be pressure tested on the largest and smallest drill pipe sizes
that will be used in the drill string.
For a satisfactory pressure test, all components must maintain a stabilized pressure of
at least 90 per cent of the required test pressure over a minimum 10-minute interval.
All pressure test details (i.e., individual BOP components tested, test duration, low
and high pressure test details) must be recorded in the drilling logbook.
Third-party pressure test documentation is an acceptable substitute for detailed
pressure test data entry in the drilling logbook. This documentation must be available
at the rig and referenced in the drilling logbook.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 53
10
10
54 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Engines
8.1
Shutoff Devices
The purpose of shutoff devices on internal combustion engines (diesel, gasoline, propane,
etc.) is to reduce potential sources of ignition in the event of a gas blow from the well by
quickly shutting down the engines.
8.1.1
Diesel Engine(s)
Any drilling rig diesel engine operating within 25 m of a well during the drilling
operation must be equipped with one of the following:
an air intake shutoff device(s) equipped with a remote control readily accessible from
the drillers position;
a system capable of injecting an inert gas into the engines cylinders, which must be
equipped with a remote control readily accessible from the drillers position;
an air intake for the engine located at least 25 m from the well; or
Any other diesel engines within 25 m of a well that must remain operational (engine
running) while on lease (during the drilling operation), such as those in power tong
trucks, logging trucks, and cementing trucks, must be equipped with proper engine
shutoff devices that are readily accessible from the truck operators working position.
8.1.2
Gasoline Engine(s)
Any gasoline (including propane powered) engine operating within 25 m of a well during
the drilling operation must be equipped with an ignition shutoff device that is readily
accessible.
8.1.3
Internal combustion engines that operate on lease and are not equipped with an engine
shutoff device may operate for a short duration within 25 m of a well provided that the
licensee representative first assesses the on-site safety.
This includes vehicles loading and unloading equipment, tubular goods, and supplies
(such as water and fuel).
8.1.4
For class I wells (wells using a diverter system), engine shutoff devices must be tested
prior to commencement of drilling operations and weekly thereafter (if the rig is on the
same well).
For well classes II-VI, all required internal combustion engine shutoff devices must be
tested prior to drilling out the surface casing shoe and weekly thereafter.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 55
prior to drilling out the surface casing shoe and weekly thereafter,
prior to drilling out the intermediate casing shoe and weekly thereafter, and
within the 24-hour period prior to penetrating the critical zone. (If intermediate
casing is set immediately above the critical zone, this would coincide with the
above.)
When conducting any internal combustion engine shutoff test, the inspector must
8.2
consult with the licensee representative to ensure that hole conditions are stable;
ensure that the engine being tested is isolated from other engines (clutches
disengaged, etc.), so that each engine will stop independently; and
ensure that the engine(s) power down rapidly and stop completely for the test(s) to be
successful. (Engine lugging is not acceptable.)
Engine Exhaust
Any exhaust pipe from an internal combustion engine located within 25 m of any well,
storage tank, or other source of ignitable vapours must be constructed so that
the end of the exhaust pipe is not closer than 6 m from the vertical centreline
(projected upward) of the well; and
the end of the exhaust pipe is not directed towards the well.
56 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Mud Tanks
All wells being drilled must have mud tanks with an appropriate mud tank fluid volume
monitoring system. This applies to all well classes.
9.2
For well classes I to IV, a nonautomated mud tank fluid volume monitoring system may
be used (unless well licence provisions require an automated system). A nonautomated
monitoring system may be mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic.
For wells that are being drilled with oil-based drilling fluids and for critical sour wells, an
automated mud tank fluid volume monitoring system is required (see Section 9.2.2).
The most commonly used nonautomated mud tank fluid volume monitoring system is
mechanical. It typically consists of a float located in a mud tank compartment (where
gains and losses in total mud tank fluid volume can be detected) and a cable and pulley
system connecting the float to a fluid level-monitoring indicator that can be read from the
drillers position. An increase or decrease in tank volume causes the indicator to rise or
fall according to the position of the float.
The nonautomated mud tank fluid volume monitoring system must meet the following
requirements:
The float/sensor for the monitoring system must be located in the appropriate mud
tank compartment.
The monitoring indicator must be located near and readable from the drillers
position.
The driller must know the normal fluid level at all times in the mud tanks (as
indicated by the fluid level-monitoring device).
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 57
If an automated system is used on wells in classes I to IV, it must meet all the
requirements of an automated system.
9.2.2
For well classes V and VI, critical sour wells, and all wells drilled with oil-based drilling
fluids, an automated mud tank fluid volume monitoring system that is electronically
operated must be used.
An automated mud tank fluid volume monitoring system consists of a series of sensors
located in each active compartment of the mud tank(s). These sensors indicate the mud
level in each compartment and transmit the data continuously to an electronic monitoring
station located at the drillers position. The system also includes an alarm to alert the
driller to a preset increase or decrease in total tank volume.
The automated mud tank fluid volume system must meet the following requirements:
The monitoring system must be equipped with mud tank fluid volume sensors in each
active mud tank compartment.
The monitoring system must provide accurate mud tank fluid volume readings that
are being continuously reported on an electronic monitoring station.
The electronic monitoring station must be readable from and located near the
Drillers position.
For critical sour wells, the electronic monitoring station must be equipped with chart
recorders.
The monitoring system must be equipped with an alarm to alert the driller of a
change of 2 m3 in total tank volume while drilling.
For critical sour wells, a visual indicator must be installed (e.g., a highly visible
flashing light) that will come on automatically whenever the alarm system is shut off.
A flow line sensor is another monitoring device that can be used in conjunction with an
automated mud tank volume monitoring system. The flow line flow sensor cannot be
used alone as a monitoring device, but can be installed to augment the automated mud
tank volume monitoring system.
9.2.3
For wells being drilled with reduced surface casing, additional monitoring requirements
may apply. See Section 2.3 of Directive 8.
58 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
9.3
be equipped with a fluid level-monitoring system that will accurately measure the
volume of drilling fluid required to fill the hole while tripping the drill string from the
well;
be designed with both the suction and return lines connected to the trip tank when
tripping the drill string into and from the well; and
be equipped with a fluid level indicator that is visible from the drillers position in
readable increments, and the driller must know the volume of fluid per increment for
the system being used.
If the drill string is being circulated while tripping tubulars (coiled tubing units or top
drives), hole fill volumes must be monitored using an electronically operated automated
mud tank fluid volume monitoring system (see Sections 9.3.1 and 9.3.2). This procedure
(circulating while tripping) requires an isolated circulating system. Fluids must be
circulated either from the trip tank with returns back to the trip tank or alternatively from
the suction tank with returns directed back to the suction tank.
9.3.1
If a trip tank is being used with a surface area less than or equal to 3.0 m2:
the trip tank must be designed such that a change in fluid level of 25 mm equals a
fluid volume change of not more than 0.08 m3, and
the volume increments on the monitoring board must not be greater than 0.08 m3.
the system must be capable of measuring volume changes of 0.04 m3 or less and the
monitoring system must have a minimum readout to 2 decimal places.
If a trip tank is being used with a surface area greater than 3.0 m2:
If a trip or suction tank is being used to monitor fluid volumes when wells are circulated
during tripping operations (coiled tubing units or top drives) (see Section 9.3):
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 59
9.3.2
Where a trip tank is being used with a surface area less than or equal to 6.0 m2:
the trip tank design must be such that a change in fluid level of 25 mm equals a
volume change of not more than 0.15 m3; and
the volume increments on the monitoring board must not be greater than 0.15 m3.
the system must be capable of measuring volume changes of 0.08 m3 or less and the
monitoring system must have a minimum readout to 2 decimal places.
Where a trip tank is being used with a surface area greater than 6.0 m2:
an automated fluid volume monitoring system must be used. This system must be
capable of measuring changes of 0.08 m3 or less and the monitoring system must
have a minimum readout to 2 decimal places.
Where a trip or suction tank is being used to monitor fluid volumes when wells are
circulated during tripping operations (coiled tubing units or top drives) (see Section 9.3):
an automated fluid volume monitoring system must be used. This system must be
capable of measuring changes of 0.08 m3 or less and the monitoring system must
have a minimum readout to 2 decimal places.
9.3.3
a change of fluid level of 25 mm equals a volume change of not more than 0.08 m3,
and
the minimum usable trip tank volume must not be less than 3.0 m3; and
the volume increments on the monitoring board must not be greater than 0.08 m3.
the system must be capable of measuring volume changes of 0.04 m3 or less and the
monitoring system must have a minimum readout to 2 decimal places.
60 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
10
Well-Site Supervision
For all wells being drilled, the licensee must provide the following:
an on-site licensee representative (not the rig manager), who is responsible for the
supervision of the drilling operations, and
an on-site rig manager, who is responsible for the supervision of the drilling rig.
Both of these supervisors may make trips off-site, however they must be readily available
within two hours travelling time.
The licensee well-site representative and the rig manager cannot supervise other
drilling/servicing operations at the same time.
For critical sour wells, prior to penetrating and during the drilling of the critical sour
zone, there must be 24-hour on-site supervision. This requires a minimum of two wellsite licensee representatives (not the rig manager) who must work no longer than a shift
of 12 hours. The licensees well-site representatives must be qualified and experienced in
drilling sour wells.
10.1.1 Tripping and Well Control Situations
When potential hydrocarbon-bearing zones have been penetrated, either the licensee
well-site representative or the rig manager must be on site while tripping in or out of the
well. If it becomes necessary to make an unscheduled trip when neither of these
individuals is present, the trip may commence immediately after contacting the licensee
representative or rig manager. The individual(s) must then return to the well site
immediately.
During well control situations, both of these individuals must be on site.
10.2
62 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
11
Well Control
At all times during the drilling of a well, the licensee must conduct operations and
maintain control equipment and casing so that any oil, gas, or water encountered can be
effectively controlled.
The licensee must ensure that during overbalanced drilling, sufficient drilling fluid
density is maintained at all times to control formation pressures throughout the drilling of
the well. The licensee must also ensure that all procedures, calculations, formulas, casing
and tubular capacities and displacements, rig pump specifications, and current well data
needed to control a kick at a well are available on location.
A kick is any unintended entry of water, gas, oil, or other formation fluid into a wellbore
that is under control and can be circulated out.
11.1.1 Maximum Allowable Casing Pressure (MACP)
The MACP must be calculated in accordance with the well control procedures provided
in the Enform Second Line Supervisors Well Control Manual.
For well classes II VI and critical sour wells, the maximum allowable casing pressure to
be held at surface during a well control situation must be posted at the
remote choke control location (when a remote choke control is installed and/or
required).
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 63
Posting of the Blowout Prevention and Well Control Procedures chart issued by the
Canadian Association of Oil Well Drilling Contractors (CAODC) is recommended.
11.1.4 STICK Diagram
A STICK diagram is a well data information sheet specific to the drilling operation of a
well (obtained from researching offset well records). It must provide the appropriate onsite personnel (e.g., licensee, rig manager, driller) with sufficient well control information
to drill the well and must be posted in the doghouse.
The STICK diagram must include, as a minimum, the following information:
geological tops,
potential problem zones (e.g., lost circulation, water flows, gas flows),
The appropriate on-site personnel must review and understand the information provided
in the STICK diagram prior to drilling out the surface casing shoe or prior to the
commencement of drilling operations with a diverter system.
11.2
Crew Training
The rig crew must be trained in the operation of the BOP equipment and kick detection.
11.2.1 BOP Drills
BOP drills must be conducted as follows:
Other crews must conduct BOP drills on their first tour after drill-out.
Thereafter, BOP drills must be conducted every seven calendar days (if on the same
well).
For critical sour wells, all crews must conduct an additional BOP drill within the
24-hour period prior to penetration of the critical zone.
64 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
If adverse hole conditions will not permit a hands-on BOP drill, have the licensees
representative and/or rig manager conduct a verbal drill.
The BOP drill conducted should determine the crews ability to detect a well kick
and perform a shut-in for the operation in progress at the time of the inspection.
The crew must be capable of applying well control procedures in all drilling
situations (e.g., drilling, tripping, out of the hole).
Tripping
For all well classes, including critical sour, prior to tripping the drill string from the well
during overbalanced drilling:
the drilling fluid density must be adequate to exert a sufficient trip margin that will
ensure an overbalance of the expected formation pressures so that formation fluids do
not enter the wellbore;
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 65
after running in the drill collars and the first stand of drill pipe; and
Prior to conducting a flow check when tripping in or out of the well, the hole must be
filled to surface.
11.3.2 Hole Filling
For all well classes, including critical sour, when tripping the drill string out of the well,
the wellbore must be filled with drilling fluid at sufficient intervals so that the fluid level
in the wellbore does not drop below a depth of 30 m from surface.
See Appendix 12 for example calculations of the maximum length of pipe that can be
pulled before the fluid level in the annulus drops 30 m.
11.3.3 Trip Records
For all well classes, when tripping the drill string out of the well:
accurate trip records (date, location, depth, type of trip, etc.) must be kept of the
theoretical and actual volumes of fluid required to fill the hole;
the trip records must be kept at the well site until the end of the drilling operation;
and
the total calculated and actual (measured) volumes must be recorded in the drilling
logbook for each trip.
If the drill string is being circulated while tripping tubulars (i.e., coiled tubing units or top
drives), actual hole fill volumes must be recorded at a minimum for every 100 m interval
of drill pipe removed and for every 20 m interval of drill collars and recorded on the trip
sheet. If tripping resumes without circulating, the trip tank must be used to monitor hole
fill volumes. Flow checks must be conducted and recorded at all required intervals (see
Section 11.3.1) with the well in a static condition (pump off).
In addition to the above requirements, for critical sour wells:
when tripping the drill string out of the well (critical zone penetrated), the trip
record(s) must be signed and dated by the licensee and the contractor representatives.
66 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
12
12.2
12.3
Flame-Type Equipment
Flame-type equipment must not be placed or operated within 25 m
Flame-type equipment is any fired heating equipment using an open flame. This includes
a space heater, torch, heated process vessel, boiler, and an electric arc or open-flame
welder, as well as well-site shacks and trailers with stoves, furnaces, and pilot lights, etc.
12.4
12.5
Smoking
No person is allowed to smoke within 25 m of a wellbore, separator, oil storage tank,
other source(s) of ignitable vapour, or on a rig or derrick on a well site during the drilling
operation.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 67
13
Casing Inspection
13.1
13.2
Casing Integrity
13.2.1 Test Methods
There are two acceptable methods for determining casing integrity: a pressure test may be
conducted on the casing, or a casing integrity inspection log may be run.
13.2.2 Pressure Testing the Casing
If the licensee elects to pressure test, the surface/intermediate casing must be pressure
tested as follows:
Surface CasingIf only surface casing is set, the minimum pressure test required at
surface (in kPa) is 2.5 times the licensed true vertical depth (TVD) of the well or
drilled depth (TVD) if greater.
If an intermediate casing string will be set, the minimum pressure test required at
surface (in kPa) is 2.5 times the intermediate casing setting depth (TVD).
Surface Casing Pressure Test Example
Well Data
Current fluid density = 1000 kg/m3
Licensed well depth (TVD) = 3500 m
Surface casing depth = 450 m
2.5 times the licensed well depth (TVD) = 2.5 x 3500
= 8750 kPa
The required pressure test at surface is calculated based on a fluid density of 1000
kg/m3. The test pressure must be adjusted according to the fluid density in the wellbore
at the time of the test.
68 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Surface Casing When a casing inspection log is used to assess the surface casing
integrity and condition, the maximum burst resistance, based on the least wall thickness
and minimum yield strength of the casing, must be greater than or equal to 2.5 times the
licensed well depth (TVD). The following equation must be satisfied:
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 69
Py =
Py
Yp
t
D
(2Yp t)
D
Intermediate Casing When a casing inspection log is used to assess the intermediate
casing integrity and condition, the maximum burst resistance, based on the least wall
thickness and minimum yield strength of the casing, must be greater than or equal to 0.67
times the formation pressure at the casing setting depth. The following equation must be
satisfied:
Py =
Py
Yp
t
D
(2Yp t)
D
If a licensee elects to conduct a pressure test after running a casing inspection log, the
results of the pressure test will be overriding. Therefore, if a log shows that casing wear is
greater than that which is considered acceptable, but the pressure test is satisfactory, then
the EUB would consider the casing as satisfactory.
70 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
14
Drillstem Testing
14.1
A separate DST line(s) must be installed for testing purposes, and the end of the
line(s) must terminate at least 50 m from the well.
The DST line must have a minimum nominal diameter of 50.8 mm throughout.
For class II wells, the DST line must have a working pressure equal to or greater than
7 MPa.
For well classes III-VI, the DST line must have a working pressure equal to or
greater than 14 MPa.
DST line connections may be made up using flanged, hammer union, or threaded
connections.
The DST line(s) must be secured at 10 m intervals. Stakes or weights must be used
(as dictated by the soil conditions).
The DST manifold must have the same minimum pressure rating as the required BOP
system.
Disposal of waste fluids must be in accordance with EUB Directive 58: Oilfield
Waste Management Requirements for the Upstream Petroleum Industry.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 71
15
The emergency flare line must have a minimum nominal diameter of 76.2 mm
throughout.
The flare line must have a working pressure equal to or greater than 14 MPa
(schedule 40 pipe is acceptable).
Piping extensions or fluid turns are not permitted between the drilling spool and the
innermost valve. The innermost valve must be connected directly to the drilling
spool.
Only one of the valves on the emergency flare line can be in the closed position.
Piping extensions or fluid turns are permitted between the valves provided that the
innermost valve is in the closed position.
The emergency flare line valves must be operable with the valve handles installed at
all times.
The flare line connection to the two valves must be flanged. All connections
downstream of this flanged connection must be flanged, hammer union, or threaded.
The emergency flare line must be properly made up and connected at all times.
The emergency flare line may contain directional changes provided they are made
with right-angle (90) connections and constructed of tees and crosses blocked on
72 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
fluid turns. Fluid turns such as elbows, tees, etc., are not permitted at the end of the
flare line to direct wellbore effluent into a flare pit.
Directional changes in the emergency flare line(s) can also be made using flexible
hose provided the hose meets the requirements set out in Section 4.2: Flare and
Emergency Flare Line(s).
The emergency flare line must be adequately secured at 10 m intervals, and the end
of the line must be secured as close as possible to the flare pit. Stakes or weights
must be used as dictated by the soil conditions. Stakes used in sandy or loose soil
conditions are not acceptable.
The emergency flare line must be either self-draining or have some means
incorporated to ensure that fluid can be drained from the line during winter
operations. Precautions must be taken to minimize environmental impact from
spillage.
The end of the emergency flare line must terminate at least 50 m from the well in a
flare pit or flare tank.
Prior to assembly, all connections in the emergency flare line must be visually
inspected. After assembly of the connections, an inspection must be conducted to
ensure that the line has been properly connected. The results of the inspections must
be recorded in the drilling logbook.
The emergency flare line should be laid in a straight line. However, a slight curvature of
the line is acceptable.
15.2
15.3
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 73
R.11
R.9
R.7
R.5
R.3 W.4M.
T.27
T.25
T.23
T.21
T.19
T.17
74 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Annular
R-Blind
Kill line
Primary bleed-off
Spool
50.8 mm throughout
To choke manifold
76.2 mm throughout
R-Pipe
Emergency flare line
Spool
To flare pit/tank
76.2 mm throughout
50.8 mm
Note:
1. Ram type BOPs manufactured with integral outlets may be used in place of the drilling spools.
2. See Appendix 2 for equipment symbols.
Figure 4. Emergency flare line configuration for high-hazard area (southeastern Alberta) and for type 3 and
type 4 surface casing reductions
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 75
16
General Information
This section details additional requirements that the licensee must meet when drilling
sour and critical sour wells.
For additional information on drilling sour and critical sour wells, see Industry
Recommended Practices for Drilling Critical Sour Wells (IRP, Volume 1).
16.2
The ERP must be on location prior to spud and throughout the drilling operation.
The licensee must conduct a review of its ERP involving on-site personnel required
to implement the plan, within 96 hours prior to conducting operations in the first sour
zone.
All equipment specified in the ERP must be available prior to entering the critical or
sour zone.
When conducting an inspection on a critical sour well, the EUB inspector must complete
a Field Inspection Branch ERP Review form (see Appendix 14).
For additional requirements regarding emergency response planning, see EUB Directive
71: Emergency Preparedness and Response Requirements for the Upstream Petroleum
Industry.
16.2.1 ERP Notification
The licensee must notify all residents within the EPZ (includes registered trappers,
industrial operators, etc.)
The licensee must notify the EUB and all residents within the EPZ (includes registered
trappers, industrial operators, etc.)
For critical sour wells with residents within the EPZ, the EUB inspector must conduct a
minimum of two resident contacts and complete the Public Contact Form (see
Appendix 15).
16.3
76 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
16.4
If the licensee has received a shear blind rams waiver from the EUB Well Operations
Group, a copy of the waiver must be on location.
16.4.5 Drill Pipe
Drill pipe used in critical sour wells must be premium class or better grade drill pipe.
The EUB Operations Group in Calgary must be notified immediately of any drill string
failures.
16.4.6 Indicators and Recording Devices
Indicators must be installed and operational for measuring
pump pressure, pump strokes per minute, hook load, and table torque.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 77
the rate of penetration, pump pressure, pump strokes per minute, hook load, rotary
table revolutions per minute (rpm), and table torque.
This record must be kept for the entire drilling operation and be made available for
inspection at the well site.
16.4.7 H2S Monitoring
When drilling in the critical zone, the following monitoring requirements must be met:
Ambient H2S detection is required and must consist of a continuous H2S detection
monitoring system that activates audible and visual alarms near the drillers position
when sensing ambient air H2S concentrations of 10 parts per million (ppm) or
greater. The system must consist of at least one sensor located at the shale shaker.
Additional sensors may be placed at other locations, such as the bell nipple, rig floor,
and mud-mixing unit. Sensors must be able to detect H2S concentrations of 5 ppm
and greater. Qualified personnel must be on site to test and provide maintenance to
this instrumentation.
At least one portable ambient H2S concentration detection device must be on location.
16.4.8 Sulphide Monitoring
While drilling in the critical sour zone with water-based drilling fluid, the following
sulphide monitoring requirements must be met:
A record of the sulphide content in the mud must be maintained throughout the
drilling of the critical sour zone.
While drilling in the critical sour zone with oil-based drilling fluid, the following
sulphide monitoring requirements must be met:
Oil-based drilling fluids must be tested using a modified GGTT a minimum of three
times per day on the whole drilling fluid.
78 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
If soluble sulphides are detected in the whole oil-based mud by the modified GGTT,
the frequency of the modified GGTT must be increased to every two hours and the
appropriate amount of H2S scavenger must be added to ensure that there are no
soluble sulphides in the whole oil-based mud. When no soluble sulphides are
detected in the whole oil-based mud, the licensee may revert back to the modified
GGTT three times per day.
A record of the sulphide content in the mud must be maintained throughout the
drilling of the critical sour zone.
the usable surface drilling fluid volume is a minimum of 100 per cent of the
calculated volume of a gauge hole minus the drill string displacement.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 79
Occupational Health and Safety Act, Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and
Occupational Health and Safety Code.
See Section 10 for additional supervision and personnel requirements.
16.4.13 Ignition Criteria
The licensee must have clear and specific plans in place to ignite an uncontrolled flow.
All critical sour wells must have a primary and a backup well ignition system during the
drilling of the critical zone. The primary ignition system must be installed such that
activation can be achieved from a safe location through a time-delayed triggering device
that will allow for complete egress of all personal from the well site prior to ignition
taking place. The backup system may be a manual system (e.g., a flare gun).
For additional requirements on ignition criteria, see EUB Directive 71.
80 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Annular
Annular
Annular
Pipe ram
Pipe ram
Pipe ram
Blind ram
Spool
Spool
Spool
Blind ram
Blind ram
Pipe ram
Pipe ram
Spool
Spool
Spool
Pipe ram
CONFIGURATION 1
(preferred)
CONFIGURATION 2
CONFIGURATION 3
Note:
1. Hydraulic and manual valve positions in bleed-off line are interchangeable (see Section 2.2.1).
2. If BOP Configuration 2 or BOP Configuration 3 is used, an appropriately sized ram blanking tool that fits into the top pipe ram must be on location
and readily available.
3. If BOP Configuration 3 is used, there must be sufficient surface or intermediate casing to contain the maximum anticipated reservoir pressure.
4. Shear blind rams may be required in place of the blind rams (see Section 16.4.4).
5. Ram type BOPs manufactured with integral outlets may be used in place of the drilling spools.
6. See Appendix 2 for equipment symbols.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
81
To mud-gas separator
Remote choke
To flare pit
To flare pit
Manual choke
To mud-gas separator
82
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
17
17.2
17.3
record loss of circulation information and remedial actions taken to control the loss of
circulation in the drilling logbook, and
notify the appropriate EUB Field Centre immediately (only if the well requires an
EUB-approved ERP; also see reporting requirements in Directive 59).
record kick information and remedial actions taken to control the kick in the drilling
logbook, and
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 83
notify the appropriate EUB Field Centre immediately (only if the well requires an
EUB-approved ERP; also see reporting requirements in Directive 59).
17.4
record blowout information and remedial actions taken to control the blowout in the
drilling logbook, and
notify the appropriate EUB Field Centre immediately, (also see reporting
requirements in Directive 59).
Deviation Surveys
The licensee must run deviation surveys at depth intervals not exceeding 150 m.
A record of surveys must be made available to the EUB upon request.
17.5
17.6
84
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
18
Daily Inspections
For all wells being drilled, the licensee and contractor representatives must conduct a
daily walk-around inspection of the rig to identify any rig deficiencies. These inspections
should be carried out in conjunction with the daily function testing of the BOP
equipment.
18.1.1 Recording Inspections
The licensee and the contractor representatives must record the daily inspections in the
drilling logbook.
18.2
Detailed Inspections
The licensee and the contractor representatives must conduct a detailed inspection of the
rig and complete a detailed inspection form. A detailed inspection form is a
comprehensive check sheet that should include all items listed in Appendix 1.
For wells without surface casing set (class I wells or wells that require a diverter system),
detailed rig inspections must be conducted
at least once every 7 days thereafter during the drilling of the well.
at least once every 7 days thereafter during the drilling of the well.
prior to drilling out the surface casing shoe and weekly thereafter;
prior to drilling out the intermediate casing shoe and weekly thereafter; and
within the 24-hour period prior to penetrating the critical zone (if intermediate casing
is set immediately above the critical zone, this coincides with the above). The
licensee must notify the appropriate EUB Field Centre at least 48 hours prior to this
detailed inspection being initiated.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 85
19
the on-site safety of this procedure must be addressed before commencing operations;
Due to the potentially hazardous nature of oil-based drilling fluids and the additional
complications (e.g., gas solubility in oil-based fluids) that may occur in a well control
event, it is recommended that the licensee review control procedures with the rig crews
prior to penetrating hydrocarbon-bearing zones.
For further, more detailed information on oil-based drilling fluids, see Industry
Recommended Practice (IRP), Volume 14: Non Water Based Drilling and Completions
Fluids. Also see Section 9.2.2 in this directive for additional requirements.
The use of oil-based drilling fluids (or any other potentially toxic drilling additive) is
prohibited when drilling above the base of groundwater protection depth. The base of
groundwater protection refers to a depth of 15 m below the deepest nonsaline aquifer.
The Water Act (Alberta Ministerial Regulation 205/98) defines nonsaline water as water
with a total dissolved solids (TDS) content less than 4000 mg/l. (For more detailed
information on base of groundwater protection, see EUB ST-55: Albertas Usable
Groundwater Base of Groundwater Protection Information.)
19.2
19.3
the on-site safety of this procedure must be addressed before commencing operations,
the crude oil must be dead oil and contain no H2S, and
the licensee must ensure that control of subsurface pressures will be maintained at all
times during the spotting and circulation of the crude oil.
19.4
86
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
the site is manned for the duration that fluids are being produced into the tank, or
the tank is used only for storage (i.e., produced fluids are not directed to the tank).
If a temporary aboveground storage tank is used and not diked for well drilling,
completions, well testing, or servicing operations and the fluids are just being stored, the
licensee must
empty the tank contents within 72 hours of completing the drilling operation.
For additional requirements on temporary storage, see EUB Directive 55: Storage
Requirements for the Upstream Petroleum Industry.
19.5
19.6
The sump must be adequately sized to allow for the anticipated volume of drilling
fluid. (Although certain drilling variables may be expected, 1 m of freeboard is
considered acceptable.)
The sump must be located and constructed so that it will not collect natural run-off
water.
19.7
all fluids used or generated during the drilling operation are properly contained;
any unrefined spill off lease or any unrefined spill in excess of 2 m3 on lease is
reported immediately to the appropriate EUB Field Centre;
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 87
19.8
the landowner is advised of any unrefined spill off lease or any unrefined spill in
excess of 2 m3 on lease, and the licensee must adequately address all concerns;
all contaminated spill material is handled and disposed of in accordance with EUB
Directive 58.
Noise Emissions
All noise levels generated from the drilling operation must meet the requirements of EUB
Directive 38: Noise Control Directive User Guide and ID 99-8: Noise Control Directive.
19.9
Odour Emissions
Any H2S or other odour emissions resulting from the drilling operation that could be
hazardous and/or a nuisance to the public must be identified and controlled so that the
odours do not migrate off lease.
19.10
Waste Management
It is the responsibility of the licensee to ensure that all waste generated and stored at the
well site is managed in accordance with Directive 58.
19.10.1 Characterization
The licensee is responsible for proper characterization of all wastes generated or stored
during the drilling operation. The waste characterization is then used in assessing the
appropriate handling, treatment, and disposal of the waste.
The two major categories under which oilfield wastes may be characterized are
As a minimum, the following information must be readily available to show proper waste
characterization:
19.10.2 Storage
All waste storage containers on site must be designed to
88
contain the wastes and prevent any odour problems associated with the waste,
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
19.10.3 Disposal
The licensee is responsible for the disposition of all wastes stored and generated on site
during the drilling operation.
As a minimum, the following information must be readily available:
the disposal plans in place for all waste stored and generated on site.
records showing the source, volume, and final disposition of wastes generated on site.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 89
20
Underbalanced Drilling
The requirements for underbalanced drilling (conventional and coiled tubing) are
currently under review. See ID 94-3: Underbalanced Drilling for the current
requirements.
For critical sour wells to be drilled underbalanced, the equipment and procedure
requirements are significantly different (see Section 16.4.10).
Deficiencies for underbalanced drilling operations are categorized as low risk (L) or high
risk (H), according to Directive 019: EUB Compliance AssuranceEnforcement.
90
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
21
A system to divert wellbore fluids (e.g., pack-off, rotating head, diverter) and a
diverter line must be installed.
During cold weather operation, sufficient heat must be provided to ensure proper
operation of the diverter system.
The diverter line must terminate a minimum of 15 m away from the wellbore.
The diverter line must be adequately secured. Stakes or weights must be used, as
dictated by the soil conditions.
The mud tank or pit must be located a minimum of 2 m from the wellbore and
outside any enclosure around the wellbore.
The drilling rig must be equipped with a stabbing valve or similar device to prevent
flow up the inside of the drill string.
The stabbing valve and associated tools must be operable and readily accessible (on
the rig floor or in the doghouse).
The drilling rig must be equipped with the necessary cross-over subs, which enable
the make-up of the stabbing valve with the drill pipe, drill collars, or any other
tubulars in the well.
Wire line coring operations inside the drill pipe must be conducted with equipment
adequate to shut off any flow through the inside of the drill string.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 91
When retrieving core or pulling pipe, the hole must be kept full of drilling mud at all
times.
All engines operating within l5 m of the well must be equipped with engine shutoff
devices:
- air shutoffs for diesel engines, or
- electric shutoffs for gasoline (includes propane powered) engines, and
- the engine shutoffs must be tested prior to commencing drilling operations.
All enclosed areas, such as core shacks, doghouses, etc., located within 15 m of the
wellbore must have two doors. One of these doors must open facing away from the
wellbore.
All open fires, flame-type equipment, or other sources of ignition must be located a
minimum of l5 m from the wellbore.
Winter shrouding surrounding the wellbore must be left open at the top and bottom to
prevent the accumulation of hazardous vapours.
The rig crew must be trained in the operation of the diverter system.
The licensee well-site representative must possess a valid Second Line Supervisors
Well Control Certificate issued by Enform. This representative must be readily
available (within two hours) at all times.
Oil sands core hole and oil sands evaluation wells drilled within an approved mine area
(approved mine area refers to the actual mine lease within the surface mineable area) are
exempt from these requirements.
21.2
92
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
R.13
R.11
R.9
R.7
R.5W.4M.
T.98
T.96
T.94
T.92
T.90
Fort McMurray
T.88
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 93
22
This inspection category is included to record noncompliance with other EUB regulations and
requirements as detailed in the Oil and Gas Act, its regulations, and other EUB directives. If a deficiency
is identified during a drilling operation that is not set out in this directive, it is categorized as low risk(L)
or high risk(H) according to Directive 019: EUB Compliance AssuranceEnforcement.
94
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
23
not more than 100 m measured depth of new hole will be drilled, or
All requirements for the well class set out in Directive 37: Service Rig Inspection Manual
must be complied with.
Any modifications to these requirements by the licensee requires formal approval from
the EUB Well Operations Group in Calgary.
23.2
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 95
24
Coiled Tubing
Minimum drilling blowout prevention systems for overbalanced coiled tubing operations
are provided in Figures 8 through 13. For overbalanced coiled tubing drilling operations,
there is no minimum pressure rating specified for equipment between the top of the
annular preventer and the injector head.
When a coiled tubing unit (CTU) is conducting an overbalanced drilling operation, all
requirements (e.g., equipment, procedures, spacing, training) set out in this directive must
be met. (There are some minor differences between conventional drilling rigs and CTUs
with regard to the crew shut-in procedures [while drilling, tripping, or out of the hole; see
Appendix 10] and BOP function testing [see Section 6.4]).
96
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM
Annular
preventer
Spool
152.4 mm throughout
50.8 mm
Conductor casing
minimum 20 m
Note:
1. The diverter line must be a minimum nominal diameter of 152 mm throughout.
2. Connections between the top of annular preventer and injector head do not have to be flanged or meet the minimum
pressure rating requirements, the stripper is optional.
3. See Appendix 2 for equipment symbols.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 97
Injector
head
Stripper
Lubricator
ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM
Inlet line to
mud-gas separator
Annular
Blind ram
Kill line
Primary bleed-off
50.8 mm
Spool
50.8 mm throughout
76.2 mm throughout
76.2 mm
To flare pit/tank
Pipe ram
50.8 mm
50.8 mm
CHOKE MANIFOLD
Note:
1. Bleed-off line, centreline through choke manifold, and flare line must be a minimum nominal diameter of 76.2 mm
throughout.
2. Lines through chokes must be a minimum nominal diameter of 50.8 mm throughout.
3. Kill line must be a minimum nominal diameter of 50.8 mm throughout.
4. Flanged pipe connections must be used from the drilling spool down to and including the connection to the choke manifold.
The remainder of the choke manifold may contain threaded fittings.
5. Connections between the top of annular preventer and injector head do not have to be flanged or meet the minimum
pressure rating requirements, the stripper is optional.
6. Minimum pressure rating for flare and degasser inlet lines is 7 MPa.
7. Hydraulic and manual valve positions in bleed-off line may be interchangeable (see Section 2.2.1).
8. An optional BOP stack arrangement (for class II wells only) would allow the pipe ram to be placed above the drilling spool.
9. Ram type BOPs manufactured with integral outlets may be used in place of the drilling spool.
10. See Appendix 2 for equipment symbols.
98
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Figure 10. Coiled tubing, Class IIIminimum pressure rating 14 000 kPa
Drilling blowout prevention systems for wells not exceeding a true vertical depth of 1800 m
Injector
head
Stripper
Lubricator
ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM
Inlet line to
mud-gas separators
Annular
Blind ram
Kill line
Primary bleed-off
50.8 mm
Spool
50.8 mm throughout
76.2 mm throughout
76.2 mm
To flare pit/tank
Pipe ram
50.8 mm
50.8 mm
CHOKE MANIFOLD
Note:
1. Bleed-off line, centreline through choke manifold and flare line must be a minimum nominal diameter of 76.2 mm
throughout.
2. Lines through chokes must be a minimum nominal diameter of 50.8 mm throughout.
3. Kill line must be a minimum nominal diameter of 50.8 mm throughout.
4. Flanged pipe connections must be used from the drilling spool down to and including the connection to the choke
manifold. The remainder of the choke manifold may contain threaded fittings.
5. Connections between the top of annular preventer and injector head do not have to be flanged or meet the minimum
pressure rating requirements, the stripper is optional.
6. Minimum pressure rating for flare and degasser inlet lines is 14 MPa.
7. Hydraulic and manual valve positions in bleed-off line may be interchangeable (see Section 2.2.1).
8. Ram type BOPs manufactured with integral outlets may be used in place of the drilling spool.
9. See Appendix 2 for equipment symbols.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 99
Figure 11. Coiled tubing, Class IVminimum pressure rating 21 000 kPa
Drilling blowout prevention systems for wells not exceeding a true vertical depth of 3600 m
Injector
head
Stripper
Lubricator
ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM
Inlet line to
mud-gas separator
Annular
Blind ram
50.8 mm
Kill line
Primary bleed-off
Spool
50.8 mm throughout
76.2 mm throughout
76.2 mm
To flare pit/tank
Pipe ram
50.8 mm
50.8 mm
Flanged connections throughout
CHOKE MANIFOLD
Note:
1. Bleed-off line, centreline through choke manifold, and flare line must be a minimum nominal diameter of 76.2 mm
throughout.
2. Lines through chokes must be a minimum nominal diameter of 50.8 mm throughout.
3. Kill line must be a minimum nominal diameter of 50.8 mm throughout.
4. Flanged pipe connections must be used from the drilling spool to the last valve on the choke manifold, inclusive.
5. Connections between the top of annular preventer and injector head do not have to be flanged or meet the minimum
pressure rating requirements, the stripper is optional.
6. Minimum pressure rating for flare and degasser inlet lines is 14 MPa.
7. Hydraulic and manual valve positions in bleed-off line may be interchangeable (see Section 2.2.1).
8. Ram type BOPs manufactured with integral outlets may be used in place of the drilling spool.
9. See Appendix 2 for equipment symbols.
100
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Figure 12. Coiled tubing, Class Vminimum pressure rating 34 000 kPa
Drilling blowout prevention systems for wells not exceeding a true vertical depth of 6000 m
Vent (outside building)
Injector
head
Stripper
Primary flow line
ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM
Lubricator
Annular
Inlet line to
mud-gas separator
Pipe ram
Remote choke
76.2 mm
Blind/shear ram
Kill line
Primary bleed-off
76.2 mm
Spool
76.2 mm throughout
76.2 mm throughout
Pipe ram
Kill line
From upper
spool
To flare pit/tank
76.2 mm
Secondary bleed-off
Spool
76.2 mm throughout
50.8 mm
76.2 mm throughout
50.8 mm
From lower
spool
To flare pit/tank
76.2 mm
Manual choke
Flanged connections throughout
CHOKE MANIFOLD
Note:
1. Kill lines, bleed-off lines, choke manifold and flare lines must be minimum nominal diameter of 76.2 mm throughout.
2. Flanged pipe connections must be used from the drilling spool to the last valve on the choke manifold, inclusive.
3. Connections between the top of annular preventer and injector head do not have to be flanged or meet the minimum
pressure rating requirements, the stripper is optional.
4. Minimum pressure rating for flare and degasser inlet lines is 14 MPa.
5. Hydraulic and manual valve positions in the bleed-off line may be interchangeable (see Section 2.2.1).
6. For optional BOP stack configurations, see Figure 5: BOP stack configurations critical sour wells.
7. Ram type BOPs manufactured with integral outlets may be used in place of the drilling spool.
8. See Appendix 2 for equipment symbols.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 101
Figure 13. Coiled tubing, Class VIminimum pressure rating 69 000 kPa
Drilling blowout prevention systems for wells exceeding a true vertical depth of 6000 m
Vent (outside building)
Injector
head
Stripper
Primary flow line
ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM
Lubricator
Annular
Inlet line to
mud-gas separator
Pipe ram
Remote choke
76.2 mm
Blind/shear ram
Primary bleed-off
Kill line
76.2 mm
Spool
76.2 mm throughout
76.2 mm throughout
Pipe ram
Kill line
From upper
spool
To flare pit/tank
76.2 mm
Secondary bleed-off
Spool
76.2 mm throughout
50.8 mm
76.2 mm throughout
50.8 mm
From lower
spool
To flare pit/tank
76.2 mm
Manual choke
Flanged connections throughout
CHOKE MANIFOLD
Note:
1. Kill lines, bleed-off lines, choke manifold, and flare lines must be minimum nominal diameter of 76.2 mm throughout.
2. Flanged pipe connections must be used from the drilling spool to the last valve on the choke manifold, inclusive.
3. Connections between the top of annular preventer and injector head do not have to be flanged or meet the minimum
pressure rating requirements, the stripper is optional.
4. Minimum pressure rating for flare and degasser inlet lines is 14 MPa.
5. Hydraulic and manual valve positions in the bleed-off line may be interchangeable (see Section 2.2.1).
6. For optional BOP stack configurations, see Figure 5: BOP stack configurations critical sour wells.
7. Ram type BOPs manufactured with integral outlets may be used in place of the drilling spool.
8. See Appendix 2 for equipment symbols.
102
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
25
Well-Site Spacing
25.1
25.2
Diverter Lines
The end of diverter line must terminate at least 50 m from the well in a flare pit or flare
tank. For exceptions to this requirement, see ID 91-3: Heavy Oil/Oil Sands Operations,
Directive 8, Section 1.1, and Section 2.1.1 of this directive.
25.3
Flare Lines
The end of the flare line(s) must terminate a minimum of 50 m from the wellbore (see
Section 2.2.9).
25.4
25.5
25.6
25.7
25.8
Engines
All diesel and gasoline engines not equipped with shutoff devices must be a minimum of
25 m from the wellbore, oil storage tank(s), or other source(s) of ignitable vapours (see
Section 8).
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 103
25.9
Engine Exhaust
Internal combustion engine exhausts must be a minimum of 6 m from the vertical
centreline (projected upward) of the wellbore (see Section 8.2).
25.10
25.11
25.12
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted within 25 m of the wellbore, oil storage tank(s), or other
source(s) of ignitable vapours (see Section 12.5).
25.13
Storage Tanks
Oil storage tank(s) must be a minimum of 50 m from the wellbore (see Section 19.3).
Make-up reserve for hydrocarbon based drilling fluid must be stored a minimum of 25 m
from the wellbore (see Section 19.1).
Make-up reserve for hydrocarbon-based drilling fluid must be stored a minimum of 50 m
from a flare pit/tank, incinerator, or burn pit (see Section 19.1).
104
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
The EUB may escalate noncompliance issue(s) to any level should conditions
warrant.
Compliance and Noncompliance Results
Inspection results are rated X - satisfactory, L - low risk unsatisfactory, H - high
risk unsatisfactory.
Items below are numbered in accordance with the Drilling Inspection/Investigation
Report and Sections 1 to 25 of this directive. Items for which there are no deficiencies are
not included in this appendix; therefore, not all numbers appear here.
1
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 105
1.1.1
H
1.1.2
Pipe Rams
1. Improper pipe ram size for drill pipe or tubulars that are in use.
2. Pipe rams changed out and pressure test on rams not conducted.
H
1.1.4
L
1.1.5
H
1.1.6
Casing Rams
1. Casing rams installed and pressure test on rams not conducted.
Ram Locking Devices (Hand Wheels)
1. Ram locking devices not readily available, incorrectly sized, and/or
cannot be installed.
Double Drilling/Studding
1. Double-drilled/studded BOP equipment (including spools) does
not meet requirements.
Flange- and Clamp-Type Connections
Casing Bowls
H
1.2.1
H
106
1. All pressure-containing components within the BOP, bleedoff, and kill systems do not meet NACE MR0175 requirements
(critical sour wells).
1.1.3
1.2
Sliplock
1. Sliplock type casing bowl not installed and/or maintained in
accordance with manufacturers specifications.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
1.2.2
Threaded
1. Threaded casing bowl not properly installed (with regard to makeup procedures, torque, and the use of thread compounds).
1.2.3
Welded
H
1.2.4
2. Casing bowl does not have a side outlet and valve (well classes I,
II, III, and IV).
1. Casing bowl and/or casing bowl valve does not meet minimum
pressure rating requirements.
Drill-Through Components
L
1.4
1.2.5
1.3
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 107
1.5
1.6
1.7
10. Stabbing valve carrying handles and/or hanger cap not provided
(when required).
11. Stabbing valve and/or inside BOP cannot be stripped into the well
(carrying handles and/or hanger cap not removable).
12. Stabbing valve and/or inside BOP does not meet NACE MR0175
standards (critical sour well).
1. Lower kelly cock not installed and/or not operable (well classes V
and VI and critical sour wells).
4. Lower kelly cock does not meet NACE MR0175 standards (critical
sour well).
Stripping Operations
H
2. Stripping drill pipe through a pipe ram that is part of the required
BOP equipment.
Shop Servicing and Testing of BOPs, Drill-Through Spools, DrillThrough Adapter Flanges and Flexible Bleed-off and Kill-line Hoses
H
Bleed-off System
2.1
Class I Wells
2.1.1
108
Diverter Line
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
2.2
11. Fluid turn installed at end of diverter line (flare pit in use).
Bleed-off Line(s)
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 109
16. Bleed-off line(s) does not meet NACE MR0175 standards (critical
sour wells).
2.2.2
110
Choke Manifold
1. The choke manifold does not meet the minimum pressure rating
and/or conform to the configuration (valves, chokes, piping, etc.)
for the class of well being drilled.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
13. Isolation valve not provided for choke manifold and/or remote
choke control casing pressure gauge(s).
14. Choke manifold does not meet NACE MR0175 standards (critical
sour well).
15. Choke manifold not located outside the substructure and/or readily
accessible.
2.2.3
3. Isolation valve(s) not provided for remote drill pipe pressure gauge
at choke manifold and remote choke location (if in use and/or
required).
2.2.4
2.2.5
Primary Degasser
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 111
2.2.6
H
2.2.7
112
Degasser Inlet
2. Degasser inlet line does not meet minimum sizing requirements for
well depth.
10. Separate degasser inlet lines not installed from each manifold wing
to each degasser (critical sour well with two degassers deployed).
11. Wall thickness test on degasser inlet line not conducted as required
(where a portion of the line is submerged in drilling fluid) and/or
documentation records of the wall thickness test not available at
the rig site.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
2.2.8
1. Vent line not made of suitable material composition (e.g., does not
maintain its shape).
3. Vent line does not meet minimum sizing requirements for well
depth and/or mud tank fluid level (Table 1).
8. Separate vent lines not installed from each degasser to the flare
pit/tank (critical sour well with two degassers deployed).
2.2.9
Flare Line(s)
1. Flare line does not meet minimum pressure rating requirements for
class of well.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 113
2.3
2.4
10. Fluid turn installed at end of flare line (flare pit in use).
13. Two flare lines (minimum) not installed (well classes V and VI
and critical sour wells).
Flare Pits
L
2. Flare pit not constructed with side and back walls 2 m above
ground level.
Flare Tanks
H
5. Flare tank not the minimum required distance from the wellbore.
6. Flare tank does not have a minimum 50.8 mm liquid loading steel
line that is connected at all times extending a minimum of 9 m
from the tank.
Kill System
3.2
114
2. Flanged check valve(s) not installed in the kill system (critical sour
well).
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
3.3
7. Improper connections used in kill line (from the last valve on the
drilling spool/BOP outlet to the mud line/standpipe).
10. The portion of the kill system from the drilling spools/BOP outlets
up to and including the check valves does not meet NACE MR0175
standards (critical sour wells).
Valve(s) in the kill system not operable and/or valve handle(s) not
installed.
5. Valve(s) in the kill system not operable and/or valve handle(s) not
installed.
7. Improper connections used in kill line (from the last valve on the
drilling spool/BOP outlet to the mud line/standpipe).
9. The portion of the kill system from the drilling spools/BOP outlets
up to and including the check valves does not meet NACE MR0175
standards (critical sour wells).
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 115
Flexible Hoses
4.1
4.2
116
7. Flexible hose used in the diverter line(s) within 9 m of the flare pit
or flare tank.
1. Flexible hose used in flare and emergency flare line(s) does not
meet the minimum required size and/or working pressure.
2. Flexible hose used in flare or emergency flare line(s) does not have
factory-installed connections.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
4.3
4.4
1. Flexible hose used in the degasser inlet line(s) does not meet
minimum pressure rating requirements for class of well.
2. Flexible hose used in degasser inlet line(s) does not meet the
minimum sizing requirements for well depth.
3. Flexible hose used in degasser inlet line(s) does not have factoryinstalled connections.
4. Flexible hose used in degasser inlet line(s) does not maintain its
original shape and/or contains bends that exceed the
manufacturers specified minimum bending radius.
1. Flexible hose used in degasser vent line(s) does not meet the
minimum required size.
2. Flexible hose used in degasser vent line(s) does not maintain its
original shape throughout its entire length.
Winterizing
5.1
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 117
118
Accumulator System
H
7. Accumulator system not equipped with an automatic pressurecontrolled primary recharge pump.
18. Accumulator vent not installed so that venting takes place outside
the building (side or top of building).
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
H
6.2
6.3
BOP Controls
6.3.1
Floor Controls
1. BOP floor controls not provided for each BOP component and the
HCR in the diverter/bleed-off line.
3. BOP floor controls not capable of opening and closing each BOP
component and the HCR in the diverter/bleed-off line.
6.3.2
Remote Controls
1. BOP remote controls not provided for each BOP component and
the HCR in the diverter/bleed-off line.
2. BOP remote controls not capable of opening and closing each BOP
component and the HCR in the diverter/bleed-off line.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 119
6.3.3
L
6.4
L
6.4.3
L
6.6
120
6.4.2
6.5
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Pressure Testing
7.2
4. Stabbing valve and/or lower kelly cock not pressure tested from
the bottom.
8. Casing hanger plug not run to isolate the casing (test pressure
exceeded 67 per cent of the bottomhole pressure at the casing
setting depth).
10. Inadequate test pressure used for low-pressure and/or highpressure test on all required components and/or casing string(s).
Engines
8.1
Shutoff Devices
8.1.1
Diesel Engine(s)
2. Drilling rig diesel engine(s) shutoff device does not have a remote
control readily accessible from the drillers position to shut down
the engine(s).
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 121
8.1.4
Mud Tanks
H
9.2
9.2.1
122
Engine Exhaust
L
8.1.5
8.2
Gasoline Engine(s)
6. Driller does not know the normal fluid level in the mud tanks.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
H
9.2.2
9.2.3
9.3
3. Suction and/or return lines not connected to the trip tank while
tripping.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 123
9.3.1
124
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
9.3.3
10
1. Trip tank surface area is greater than 3.0 m2 (critical sour wells).
2. Usable trip tank volume is less than 3.0 m3 (critical sour wells).
10.1.1
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 125
10.2.2
H
11
11.1.1
11.1.2
L
11.1.3
L
11.1.4
STICK Diagram
11.2.2
H
126
11.2.4
H
BOP Drills
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
11.2.5
L
11.3 Tripping
H
11.3.1
Flow Checks
11.3.2
H
Hole Filling
11.3.3
Trip Records
4. Trip record(s) not signed and dated by the licensee and the
contractor representatives (critical zone penetrated).
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 127
12
12.5 Smoking
L
13
Casing Inspection
13.1 30-Day Casing Inspection
L
14
Drillstem Testing
14.1 Drillstem Testing (DST)
128
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
15
3. Separate DST line(s) not installed, and/or the end of the line(s)
does not terminate at least 50 m from the well.
4. DST line does not meet minimum pressure rating requirements for
class of well.
8. DST manifold does not have (as a minimum) the same pressure
rating as the required BOP system.
15.1.2
H
Surface Casing
15.1.3
3. Fluid turns and/or pipe extensions between drilling spool and the
innermost valve.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 129
11. Fluid turn installed at end of emergency flare line (flare pit in use).
16. End of emergency flare line does not terminate 50 m from the
wellbore.
17. Emergency flare line does not terminate in a flare pit or flare tank.
3. Licensee did not conduct review of the ERP with on-site personnel
(required to implement the plan) within 96 hours prior to
conducting operations in the sour zone.
16.2.1
L
130
ERP Notification
1. Licensee did not notify all residents prior to entering the first sour
zone.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
2. Licensee did not notify the EUB and all residents after all drilling
operations were completed (rig release).
Drilling Plan
16.4.2
Intermediate Casing
16.4.3
1. BOP stack configuration does not conform to one of the three BOP
stack configurations.
4. The choke manifold does not meet the minimum pressure rating
for the class of well being drilled and/or conform to the required
critical sour well choke manifold configuration (valves, chokes,
piping, etc.).
16.4.4
16.4.5
H
Drill Pipe
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 131
16.4.6
H
1. Indicators for pump pressure, pump strokes per minute, hook load,
and/or table torque not installed, and/or operational, and/or visible
from the drillers position.
16.4.7
H2S Monitoring
5. Ambient H2S monitoring system does not have audible and visible
alarms located near the drillers position (during drilling in the
critical zone).
16.4.8
Sulphide Monitoring
16.4.9
H
1. The usable surface drilling fluid volume is less than 100% of the
calculated volume of a gauge hole minus the drill string
displacement.
16.4.10
132
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
16.4.11
H
16.4.12
Personnel
2. Drilling rig crew member(s) does not have a current Enform H2S
Alive certification.
5. Safety personnel and adequate safety equipment for all workers not
on site.
16.4.13
17
Underbalanced Drilling
Ignition Criteria
1. Licensee does not have clear and specific plans in place to ignite
an uncontrolled flow.
2. Loss of circulation not reported to the EUB (well requires an EUBapproved ERP).
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 133
17.3.2
17.3.3
18
18.1.1
L
Recording Inspections
18.2.1
L
134
Recording Inspections
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
19
2. Crude oil used for spotting not dead oil and/or contains H2S.
1. Oil storage tank not located 50 m from the wellbore, and/or flare
pit/tank, and/or incinerator, and/or burn pit.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 135
3. Spill on lease (in excess of 2 m3) and/or any spill off lease not
reported to the EUB.
19.10.2
Storage
19.10.3
L
Disposal
19.10.4
20
Characterization
1. Records not readily available to show the source, volume, and final
disposition of all waste generated on site.
Underbalanced Drilling
H/L 1. Underbalanced drilling operation does not meet the minimum
requirements set out in ID 94-3: Underbalanced Drilling.
21
136
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
22
11. Crossover subs (if required for the stabbing valve) not provided.
12. Equipment inadequate to shut off any flow through the inside of
the drill string (wireline coring operations).
13. Hole not kept full of drilling mud during coring or tripping
operations.
14. Engine shut off devices not provided or not operable (within 15 m
of the wellbore).
15. Core shacks, doghouses, etc., do not have two doors and/or one of
the doors does not open facing away from the wellbore (within 15
m of the wellbore).
17. Winter shrouding surrounding the wellbore not open at the top
and/or bottom.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 137
138
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Nitrogen bottle
Accumulator
Threaded valve
Flanged valve
Pop valve
Shock hose
Bull plug
Pressure gauge
Threaded
outlets
Hole fill
line
Charge pump
Flow direction
Flanged or
studded outlets
Flow line
Lubricator
Casing bowls
Flow tee
Threaded
outlets
Spool
Spool
Flanged or
studded outlets
Spools
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 139
ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM
Annular
To flare pit/tank
Spool
152.4 mm throughout
50.8 mm
Minimum conductor casing of 20 m
140
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM
Inlet line to
mud-gas separator
Annular
Blind ram
Primary bleed-off
Kill line
50.8 mm
Spool
50.8 mm throughout
76.2 mm throughout
76.2 mm
To flare pit/tank
Pipe ram
50.8 mm
50.8 mm
CHOKE MANIFOLD
Note:
1. Bleed-off line, centreline through choke manifold, and flare line must be a minimum nominal diameter of 76.2 mm
throughout.
2. Lines through chokes must be a minimum nominal diameter of 50.8 mm throughout.
3. Kill line must be a minimum nominal diameter of 50.8 mm throughout.
4. Flanged pipe connections must be used from the drilling spool down to and including the connection to the choke manifold.
The remainder of the choke manifold may contain threaded fittings.
5. Minimum pressure rating for flare and degasser inlet lines is 7 MPa.
6. Hydraulic and manual valve positions in the bleed-off line may be interchangeable (see Section 2.2.1).
7. An optional BOP stack arrangement (for class II wells only) would allow the pipe ram to be placed above the drilling spool.
8. Ram type BOPs manufactured with integral outlets may be used in place of the drilling spool.
9. See Appendix 2 for equipment symbols.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 141
ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM
Inlet line to
mud-gas separator
Annular
Blind ram
Primary bleed-off
Kill line
50.8 mm
Spool
50.8 mm throughout
76.2 mm throughout
76.2 mm
To flare pit/tank
Pipe ram
50.8 mm
50.8 mm
CHOKE MANIFOLD
Note:
1. Bleed-off line, centreline through choke manifold, and flare line must be a minimum nominal diameter of 76.2 mm
throughout.
2. Lines through chokes must be a minimum nominal diameter of 50.8 mm throughout.
3. Kill line must be a minimum nominal diameter of 50.8 mm throughout.
4. Flanged pipe connections must be used from the drilling spool down to and including the connection to the choke manifold.
The remainder of the choke manifold may contain threaded fittings.
5. Minimum pressure rating for flare and degasser inlet lines is 14 MPa.
6. Hydraulic and manual valve positions in the bleed-off line may be interchangeable (see Section 2.2.1).
7. Ram type BOPs manufactured with integral outlets may be used in place of the drilling spool.
8. See Appendix 2 for equipment symbols.
142
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Note:
1. Bleed-off line, centreline through choke manifold, and flare line must be a minimum nominal diameter of 76.2 mm
throughout.
2. Lines through chokes must be a minimum nominal diameter of 50.8 mm throughout.
3. Kill line must be a minimum nominal diameter of 50.8 mm throughout.
4. Flanged pipe connections must be used from the drilling spool to the last valve on the choke manifold, inclusive.
5. Minimum pressure rating for flare and degasser inlet lines is 14 MPa.
6. Hydraulic and manual valve positions in the bleed-off line may be interchangeable (see Section 2.2.1).
7. Ram type BOPs manufactured with integral outlets may be used in place of the drilling spool.
8. See Appendix 2 for equipment symbols.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 143
ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM
Annular
Inlet line to
mud-gas separator
Remote choke
Pipe ram
76.2 mm
Blind ram
Kill line
Primary bleed-off
76.2 mm
Spool
76.2 mm throughout
76.2 mm throughout
Pipe ram
To flare pit/tank
From upper
spool
76.2 mm
Secondary bleed-off
Kill line
Spool
76.2 mm throughout
50.8 mm
76.2 mm throughout
50.8 mm
From lower
spool
To flare pit/tank
76.2 mm
Manual choke
Flanged connections throughout
CHOKE MANIFOLD
Note:
1. Kill lines, bleed-off lines, choke manifold, and flare lines must be a minimum nominal diameter of 76.2 mm throughout.
2. Flanged pipe connections must be used from the drilling spool to the last valve on the choke manifold, inclusive.
3. Minimum pressure rating for flare and degasser lines is 14 MPa.
4. Hydraulic and manual valve positions in the bleed-off line may be interchangeable (see Section 2.2.1).
5. For optional BOP stack configurations, see Figure 5: BOP stack configurationscritical sour wells.
6. Ram type BOPs manufactured with integral outlets may be used in place of the drilling spools.
7. See Appendix 2 for equipment symbols.
144
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM
Annular
Inlet line to
mud-gas separator
Remote choke
Pipe ram
76.2 mm
Blind ram
Kill line
Primary bleed-off
76.2 mm
Spool
76.2 mm throughout
76.2 mm throughout
Pipe ram
To flare pit/tank
From upper
spool
76.2 mm
Secondary bleed-off
Kill line
Spool
76.2 mm throughout
76.2 mm throughout
50.8 mm
50.8 mm
From lower
spool
To flare pit/tank
76.2 mm
Manual choke
Flanged connections throughout
CHOKE MANIFOLD
Note:
1. Kill lines, bleed-off lines, choke manifold, and flare lines must be a minimum nominal diameter 76.2 mm throughout.
2. Flanged pipe connections must be used from the drilling spool to the last valve on the choke manifold, inclusive.
3. Minimum pressure rating for flare and degasser inlet lines is 14 MPa.
4. Hydraulic and manual valve positions in the bleed-off line may be interchangeable (see Section 2.2.1).
5. For optional BOP stack configurations, see Figure 5: BOP stack configurationscritical sour wells.
6. Ram type BOPs manufactured with integral outlets may be used in place of the drilling spools.
7. See Appendix 2 for equipment symbols.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 145
temperature; and
time.
NACE states that its standard applies to all components of equipment exposed to sour
environments where failure by sulphide stress cracking would
prevent the equipment from being restored to an operating condition while continuing
to contain pressure, and/or
A sour environment (as defined by NACE) exists when the partial pressure of H2S in a
wet (water as a liquid) gas phase of a gas or gas condensate or in crude oil is equal to or
exceeds 0.34 kPa (abs).
Figure 14 graphically defines a sour environment. If the H2S concentration and pressure
plot into the sulphide stress cracking region of the graph, careful attention should be
given to the control of the drilling fluid environment (to neutralize the H2S) and
consideration should be given to the use of equipment that meets NACE standards for
metallic materials.
For critical sour wells, all pressure-containing components within the BOP, bleed-off,
and kill systems must meet NACE MR0175 standards.
For further information, refer to NACE MR0175 (current edition).
146
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 147
Appendix 5 Shop Servicing and Testing of BOPs, Drill-Through Spools, DrillThrough Adapter Flanges, and Flexible Bleed-off and Kill-Line Hoses
Three-Year Certification Requirements
All BOPs, drill-through spools, drill-through adapter flanges, and flexible bleed-off
and kill-line hoses used during drilling operations must be shop serviced and pressure
tested at least once every three years from the in-service date. The in-service date is
defined as the day the BOPs, drill-through spools, and flexible bleed-off and kill-line
hoses are placed in service after the certification process (see storage requirements
below).
Three years after the in-service date, the BOPs, drill-through spools, drill-through
adapter flanges, and flexible bleed-off and kill-line hoses must be taken out of service
and sent to a qualified BOP repair facility for certification.
Prior to expiry of the three-year in-service date, the BOPs, drill-through spools, drillthrough adapter flanges, and flexible bleed-off and kill-line hoses must be recertified
prior to being put back into service if they have been subjected to
- an uncontrolled flow (blowout) of reservoir fluid,
- pressures in excess of the manufacturers rating,
- a sour fluid exposure (where the equipment is not NACE MR0175 certified), or
- a serious kick or a well control operation of extended duration.
BOPs, drill-through spools, drill-through adapter flanges. and flexible bleed-off and
kill-line hoses must not be placed on a well where the drilling program for the well
would exceed the certification expiry date. However, certification would remain in
effect for well operations in progress after the three-year expiry period if unforeseen
hole problems were encountered. This extended duration must not exceed 30 days
without approval from EUB Well Operations in Calgary.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Welders must hold a Journeyman Welding Ticket with a B Pressure endorsement and
should have experience in BOP repair or as specified by the OEM or certifying P.Eng.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Personnel must have a minimum of a Canadian General
Standards Board (CGSB) Level II NDT Certification, or as required by the OEM or
certifying P.Eng. They should also have prior experience in the inspection of BOPs.
The certifying Party must be an OEM designated representative, a certifying P.Eng., or a
designated person with industry experience approved by a certifying P.Eng.
Shop Servicing Requirements
The following procedures are the minimum requirements for shop servicing BOPs, drillthrough spools, drill-through adapter flanges (and flexible bleed-off and kill-line hoses
where applicable):
The received condition of the equipment and all repairs required must be recorded.
Each component must have written specifications for acceptable condition approved
by the OEM or a certifying P.Eng.
All wearing components must be measured with calibrated and traceable measuring
and testing instruments, and the measurements recorded.
Each component repaired must have written inspection criteria, sizes, tolerance, and
part numbers, as well as written repair methods, including welding procedures, heat
treatment, and parts standards approved by the OEM or a certifying P.Eng. Reference
must be made to the appropriate API, ASME, and AWS standards. All repairs
completed must be clearly identified on the repair report.
All elastomers must be replaced, with the exception of the annular packing elements
and ram rubbers, which are at the discretion of the certifying party. (Certifying
party is defined as an OEM-designated representative, a certifying P.Eng., or a
designated person with industry experience approved by a P.Eng.)
Parts replaced or added to the BOPs, including elastomers, must be traceable and
designed for the purpose with equivalent or superior performance and must be
approved by the OEM or a certifying P.Eng. All parts replaced are to be clearly
identified on the repair report.
Closed preventer tests must be performed at low- and high-pressure with the lowpressure test always preceding the high-pressure test.
A low-pressure test of 1400 kPa must be applied and held below the closed preventer
(rams/annular packing unit).
A high-pressure test at least equal to the rated working pressure of the preventer must
be applied and held below the closed preventer (rams/annular packing unit).
An opened and closed function hydraulic chamber pressure test must be performed to
the manufacturers hydraulic system rating.
Additional pressure tests must be conducted if required by the OEM or the certifying
P.Eng.
All drill-through spools and flexible bleed-off and kill-line hoses must be pressure tested
to their rated working pressure for a 15-minute duration.
Storage Requirements
It is acceptable to store BOPs, drill-through spools, drill-through adapter flanges, and
flexible bleed-off and kill-line hoses after certification prior to their being placed in
service. The BOPs, drill-through spools, drill-through adapter flanges, and flexible bleedoff and kill-line hoses must be properly stored according to OEM standards or a
certifying P.Eng.s specifications.
In-Service Date
For BOPs, if the storage period exceeds one year, the in-service date is the date that the
BOPs were certified.
For drill-through spools, drill-through adapter flanges, and flexible bleed-off and kill-line
hoses, the in-service date is the date that the equipment is placed into service.
Documentation must be available to confirm proper storage.
Documentation
Documentation consists of inspection, repair, and testing reports that have been reviewed
and signed off by the certifying party. The certification of the equipment must be retained
in a file system containing a copy of the records and repair history keyed to a unique
identification number.
A copy of the certification document must be available at the rig site and contain, as a
minimum, the following information:
date of certification and the in-service date;
facility where certification was completed, including work order or job number;
manufacturer, model, pressure rating, bore size, and serial number of equipment; and
signature of certifying party.
The EUB acknowledges the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors
(CAODC) for their contribution to the revision of the EUBs Three-Year Shop Servicing
and Testing Requirements. Further information can be obtained in CAODCs
Recommended Practice 6.0 Blowout Preventer Inspection and Certification.
150
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
9m
Accumulator
Remote BOP
controls
50 m
Hydrocarbon make-up
reserve (invert)
Internal combustion
engine exhaust
25 m
25 m
6m
Internal combustion
engine without shutoff
devices
25 m
Smoking
Per electrical code
50 m
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 151
50 m
= pressure
= precharge pressure
= accumulator operating pressure
= accumulator final pressure
= volume
= gas volume at operating condition
= total bottle volume
= gas volume at final condition
= usable volume above 8400 kPa
= initial pressure, VTOT = VPRE
1) From the Ideal Gas Law, the following pressure (P), fluid volume (V) relations are
known:
VPRE PPRE = VOP POP = VFPF
2) By definition:
VTOT = VPRE
Therefore:
VOP =
VTOT PPRE
POP
VF =
VTOT PPRE
PF
Usable fluid is the amount of fluid stored in the accumulator at a minimum pressure of 8400 kPa.
152
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
3) The hydraulic fluid volume (F) is the total volume minus the volume occupied by the
gas:
FOP = VTOT VOP
FF = VTOT VF
4) The usable fluid (VUSABLE) available is the difference between the fluid available at
operation conditions and final conditions:
VUSABLE = FOP FF
= VF VOP
If precharge is greater than 8.4 MPa, final pressure must equal precharge pressure.
If two sets of pipe rams are required or in use, the closing volume for each set must be included in the
calculations.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 153
Step 1:
VUSABLE = Accumulator Volume x Precharge Pressure x (1/8.4 MPa 1/Op MPa)
VUSABLE = 151.6 litres x 7.0 MPa x (1/8.4 MPa 1 /21 MPa)
= 151.6 litres x 7.0 x 0.07143
= 75.8 litres
Step 2:
Determine fluid volume needed to function preventers (see Appendix 9).
Volume to close annular
Volume to close pipe rams
Volume to open hydraulic valve
Total volume
Conclusion
=
=
=
28.1 litres
12.5 litres
2.0 litres
= 42.6 litres
The accumulator is adequate because 75.3 litres of usable fluid is available (above
8400 kPa), when only 42.6 litres of fluid is needed to activate the BOP components.
SAMPLE CALCULATION 2FOR CRITICAL SOUR WELLS
Rig Specifications
Drill Pipe:
114.3 mm 16.5 kg/m E grade drill pipe
Accumulator Data:
795
litre accumulator with
21.0 MPa operating pressure
7.0 MPa precharge pressure
BOP Data:
154
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Note that pressures required to shear drill pipe vary, depending on the drill pipe in use
and the make and model of the shear ram.
VUSABLE = Accumulator Volume x Precharge Pressure x (1/10 MPa 1/Op MPa)
Step 1:
VUSABLE = Accumulator Volume x Precharge Pressure x (1/10 MPa 1/Op MPa)
VUSABLE = 795 litres x 7.0 MPa x (1/10 MPa 1 /21 MPa)
= 795 litres x 7.0 x .052381
= 291.5 litres
Step 2:
Determine fluid volume needed to operation the preventers (see Appendix 9).
Volume to open hydraulic valve = 3.0 litres
Volume to close annular
= 68.1 litres
Volume to close pipe ram
= 16.5 litres
Volume to open pipe ram
= 20.1 litres
Volume to close pipe ram
= 16.5 litres
Volume to close blind/shear ram = 40.0 litres*
Total required volume
= 164.2 litres
Conclusion
The accumulator is adequate because 291.5 litres of usable fluid is available (above 10
MPa), when only 164.2 litres of fluid is needed to activate the BOP components and
shear the drill pipe.
If a nitrogen (N2) booster is installed (tied directly to the blind/shear rams), the closing volume requirements for
the blind/shear rams is not included in the sizing calculation for the accumulator and the minimum pressure
requirements for the accumulator remain at 8400 kPa.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 155
= pressure
= backup N2 operating pressure
= backup N2 final pressure
= volume
= gas volume at operating condition
= total bottle volume
= gas volume at final condition
= usable volume above 8400 kPa
1) From the Ideal Gas Law, the following pressure (P) volume is known:
POP VOP = PFVF
or
VF
POP
=
VOP
PF
2) The gas volume at operating conditions (VOP) fills the bottle volume (VTOT):
VOP = VTOT
The gas volume at final conditions (VF) fills the bottle and enters the BOP closing
system (VUSABLE):
VF = VTOT + VUSABLE
156
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
3) Substituting:
POP
PF - 1
If all bottles are the same size, then an average pressure may be used (see Section 6,
Figure 2, for bottle dimensions).
P1 +
P2 +.
POP =
#N2 bottles
and the total number of N2 bottles must be used.
VTOT = V1 + V2 +
If all bottles are not the same size, VUSABLE must be calculated for each bottle and totalled
for the system.
Calculation Formula
VUSABLE = VTOT
POP
PF - 1
SAMPLE CALCULATION 1
Rig Specifications
Backup N2 Data:
Two 42-litre N2 bottles @
17.5 MPa and 14.0 MPa
BOP Data:
254 mm 21 MPa Hydril GK annular BOP
254 mm 21 MPa Hydril manual lock pipe rams
101.6 mm 21 MPa Cameron HCR hydraulic valve
If two sets of pipe rams are required or are in use, the closing volume for each set must be included in the
calculations.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 157
Calculation Formula
VUSABLE = VTOT
POP
PF - 1
Since the minimum final pressure required is 8400 kPa (8.4 MPa),
VUSABLE = VTOT
POP
8.4 MPa
- 1
Step 1:
Average pressure of N2 bottles is 17.5 MPa + 14.0 MPa
2 bottles
= 15.75 MPa
Step 2:
Total N2 volume available is VTOT
= 42 litres + 42 litres
= 84 litres
Step 3:
VUSABLE
15.75
8.4 MPa - 1
= 84 litres
= 73.5 litres
Step 4:
Determine fluid volume needed to operate the preventers (see Appendix 9).
Volume to close annular
Volume to close pipe rams
Volume to open hydraulic valve
= 28.1 litres
= 12.5 litres
= 2.0 litres
= 42.6 litres
Conclusion
The backup N2 supply is adequate, since VUSABLE (73.5 litres) is greater than the fluid
volume required (42.6 litres) to activate the BOP components.
Sample Calculation 2For Critical Sour Wells
Rig Specifications
Drill Pipe:
114.3 mm 16.5 kg/m grade E drill pipe
158
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Backup N2 Data:
Five 50 litre N2 bottles @
17.5 MPa, 17.5 MPa, 17 MPa, 17 MPa, and 16.5 MPa
BOP Data:
103 mm 34 MPa Shaffer Floseal HCR hydraulic valve
346 mm 34 MPa Hydril GK annular BOP
346 mm 34 MPa Shaffer SL manual lock pipe rams (2 sets)
346 mm 34 MPa Shaffer LWS posi lock shear/blind ram (these rams require a
minimum final accumulator operating pressure of 10 MPa to shear 114.3 mm grade E
drill pipe)
Calculation Formula
POP
PF - 1
VUSABLE = VTOT
The minimum final pressure required to shear 114.3 mm grade E drill pipe with the shear
rams in use is 10 MPa; therefore, the final operating pressure cannot be less than 10 MPa.
Note that pressures required to shear drill pipe vary, depending on drill pipe in use and
the make and model of shear ram.
VUSABLE = VTOT
POP
- 1
10.0 MPa
Step 1:
Average pressure of N2 bottles = 17.5 MPa + 17.5 MPa + 17 MPa + 17 MPa + 16.5 MPa
5 bottles
= 17.1 MPa
Step 2:
Total N2 volume available = VTOT
= 50 litres x 5 bottles
= 250 litres
Step 3:
17.1 MPa
- 1
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 159
Step 4:
Determine fluid volume needed to operate the preventers (see Appendix 9).
Volume to open hydraulic valve
Volume to close annular
Volume to close pipe ram
Volume to open pipe ram
Volume to close pipe ram
Volume to close blind/shear ram
=
=
=
=
=
=
3.0 litres
68.1 litres
16.5 litres
20.1 litres
16.5 litres
40.0 litres
= 164.2 litres
Conclusion
The backup nitrogen supply is adequate, since VUSABLE (177.5 litres) is greater than the
fluid volume required (164.2 litres) to activate the BOP components and shear the drill
pipe.
160
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Litres
to close
1.4
0.6
1.6
0.7
1.1
1.1
2.0
1.1
2.0
3.4
4.5
3.4
4.5
1.6
1.6
3.4
6.9
3.4
6.9
5.7
2.8
Litres
to open
1.1
0.6
1.3
0.7
1.1
0.8
1.9
0.8
1.9
3.1
6.1
3.1
6.1
1.3
1.3
3.1
6.2
3.1
6.2
5.2
2.8
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 161
162
346
152
152
203
203
254
254
305
406
457
508
152
152
203
203
254
254
305
356
69000
21000
34000
21000
34000
21000
34000
21000
14000
14000
14000
21000
34000
21000
34000
21000
34000
21000
34000
179
179
179
179
279
279
279
279
346
346
346
346
425
425
476
527
527
540
540
680
680
179
179
179
179
Litres
to close
4.9
4.9
4.9
4.9
12.7
12.7
12.7
12.7
22.0
22.0
22.0
42.8
37.1
37.1
87.1
31.8
31.8
31.8
100.3
39.4
39.4
8.7
8.7
8.7
8.7
Litres
to open
4.9
4.9
4.9
4.9
12.1
12.1
12.1
12.1
20.4
20.4
20.4
44.3
40.1
40.1
94.3
29.7
29.7
29.7
91.2
37.3
37.3
8.3
8.3
8.3
8.3
346
179
179
229
229
279
279
346
426
451
527
179
179
229
229
279
279
346
346
52.6
3.1
3.1
8.9
8.9
10.5
10.5
16.7
22.7
22.7
22.7
3.3
3.3
5.7
5.7
5.7
5.7
11.0
11.0
48.8
3.6
3.6
10.2
10.2
12.0
12.0
19.3
26.7
26.7
26.7
2.7
2.7
4.9
4.9
4.9
4.9
9.5
9.5
(continued)
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
152
152
178
178
203
203
254
254
279
305
356
406
406
508
508
152
152
178
178
203
203
254
254
279
305
346
406
406
508
508
21000
34000
69000
103400
21000
34000
21000
34000
69000
21000
34000
14000
21000
14000
21000
21000
34000
69000
103400
21000
34000
21000
34000
69000
21000
34000
14000
21000
14000
21000
179
179
179
179
229
229
279
279
279
346
346
426
426
540
540
179
179
179
179
229
229
279
279
279
346
346
426
426
540
540
Litres
to close
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
25.9
25.9
25.9
25.9
25.9
39.0
39.0
44.3
44.3
44.3
44.3
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
5.6
5.6
6.5
6.5
6.5
6.5
152
21000
179
5.7
8.7
152
34000
179
5.7
8.7
178
69000
179
5.7
8.7
178
103400
179
5.7
8.7
203
21000
229
10.6
14.0
203
34000
229
10.6
14.0
254
21000
279
10.6
14.0
254
34000
279
10.6
14.0
279
69000
279
10.6
14.0
305
356
406
21000
34000
14000
346
346
426
15.5
15.5
18.9
20.1
20.1
22.7
(continued)
Litres
to open
13.1
13.1
13.1
13.1
23.4
23.4
23.4
23.4
23.4
35.5
35.5
40.4
40.4
40.4
40.4
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
6.8
6.8
6.8
6.8
6.8
10.2
10.2
11.7
11.7
11.7
11.7
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 163
Litres
to close
Litres
to close
406
21000
426
18.9
22.7
508
14000
514
18.9
22.7
508
152
152
178
178
203
203
254
254
279
305
356
406
406
508
508
21000
21000
34000
69000
103400
21000
34000
21000
34000
69000
21000
34000
14000
21000
14000
21000
514
179
179
179
179
229
229
279
279
279
346
346
426
426
540
540
18.9
8.7
8.7
8.7
8.7
14.0
14.0
14.0
14.0
14.0
25.7
25.7
7.6
7.6
7.6
7.6
22.7
11.5
11.5
11.5
11.5
17.4
17.4
17.4
17.4
17.4
30.7
30.7
34.4
34.4
34.4
34.4
164
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Litres
to open
84.8
66.0
73.4
84.8
84.4
122.3
Litres
to open
6.1
152
21000
179
Litres
to close
6.4
Ua
U
152
152
21000
34000
179
179
12.5
6.4
6.1
6.1
Ua
U
152
179
34000
69000
179
179
12.5
6.4
6.1
6.1
Ua
U
179
179
69000
103400
179
179
12.5
6.4
6.1
6.1
Ua
179
103400
179
12.5
6.1
Ua
346
34000
346
43.9
41.3
Ua
346
69000
346
43.9
41.3
Ua
425
21000
425
40.9
44.3
Ua
425
34000
425
40.9
44.3
14000
21000
34000
69000
103400
527
179
179
179
179
63.6
10.2
10.2
10.2
10.2
59.4
10.2
10.2
10.2
10.2
Litres
to close
2.0
2.6
Litres
to open
1.5
1.9
Ua
Litres
to close
92.0
68.8
76.5
92.0
93.5
131.4
508
UL
179
UL
179
UL
179
UL
179
Indicates shear ram with booster.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 165
166
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Litres
to close
4.2
4.2
Litres
to open
3.6
3.6
Litres
to close
1.3
1.3
3.8
3.8
7.2
14.0
7.2
7.2
12.5
12.5
19.7
33.3
20.4
20.4
46.2
64.7
30.7
30.7
66.2
Litres
to open
1.2
1.2
4.9
4.9
6.8
12.9
7.2
7.2
12.1
12.1
18.9
30.7
18.5
18.2
43.9
60.9
27.3
27.3
62.8
Litres
to close
20.8
20.8
33.3
33.3
43.5
43.5
46.2
64.7
65.1
65.1
66.2
Litres
to close
4.5
4.5
7.6
14.8
21.5
35.2
47.3
22.3
22.3
48.5
47.7
54.9
67.8
64.7
73.4
68.1
68.1
73.1
Litres
to open
4.9
4.9
6.8
12.8
18.9
30.7
43.5
18.5
19.7
43.9
41.6
53.4
60.9
59.1
42.4
61.7
61.7
62.8
Litres
to open
18.9
28.9
31.0
30.7
42.4
42.4
43.9
60.9
61.7
61.7
62.8
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 167
168
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Litres
to close
22.7
22.7
35.2
35.2
47.3
45.4
45.4
48.5
47.7
59.1
67.8
64.7
73.4
68.1
68.1
73.1
Litres
to open
18.9
18.9
31.0
30.7
43.5
42.4
42.4
43.9
41.6
53.4
60.9
59.1
63.2
61.7
61.7
62.8
Litres
to close
1.9
1.9
4.5
4.5
24.0
24.0
9.8
9.8
9.2
6.6
11.3
13.7
12.7
12.7
40.1
17.8
25.0
19.2
19.2
2.1
2.9
31.2
35.5
20.6
20.6
47.8
47.8
52.9
54.8
10.4
10.4
10.4
10.4
12.3
12.3
13.7
13.4
13.4
13.8
2.6
Litres
to open
1.8
1.8
3.8
3.8
22.3
22.3
8.6
8.6
9.2
5.5
9.9
12.5
11.2
11.2
37.2
15.6
22.8
16.9
16.9
1.9
2.9
26.5
30.7
16.9
16.9
39.8
39.8
48.1
47.3
8.7
8.7
8.7
8.7
10.2
10.2
12.5
11.0
11.0
11.4
2.1
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 169
170
Litres
to close
27.4
18.0
15.9
20.2
20.1
27.4
27.4
57.9
29.5
29.5
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Litres
to open
25.0
15.8
14.0
17.8
16.7
24.2
24.2
50.0
26.0
26.0
Litres
to close
19.6
35.2
31.1
40.0
40.0
43.8
52.9
63.9
63.9
60.8
60.8
Litres
to open
19.8
32.1
28.4
36.4
36.4
39.8
48.1
58.1
58.1
52.5
52.5
Litres
to close
2.6
2.6
12.3
12.3
13.4
13.4
Litres
to open
2.1
2.1
10.2
10.2
10.9
10.9
Litres
to close
2.6
2.8
2.8
2.8
5.5
6.6
2.9
Litres
to close
8.3
15.1
29.5
45.8
59.7
81.4
124.9
6.4
6.4
11.1
26.3
31.7
21.4
21.4
38.4
89.0
45.9
45.9
68.5
84.4
84.4
137.8
193.1
153.3
153.3
Litres
to close
2.7
Litres
to open
2.1
2.3
2.3
2.3
4.5
5.5
2.6
Litres
to open
2.2
Litres
to open
7.2
11.7
24.6
39.7
52.6
70.8
109.8
5.3
5.3
9.7
23.2
28.6
17.8
17.8
34.3
80.6
39.1
39.1
61.1
71.9
71.9
109.8
170.7
107.5
107.5
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 171
172
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Litres
to close
14.8
14.8
Litres
to open
12.7
12.7
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
Litres
to close
10.7
17.3
28.1
117.5
117.5
227.1
67.6
91.2
60.9
91.2
128.7
219.6
Litres
to open
7.5
11.2
19.8
71.7
71.7
N/A
67.6
91.2
60.9
91.2
128.7
219.6
GL
346
34000
346
74.8 a
74.8
GL
425
34000
425
133.6
133.6
GL
425 (dual)
34000
425
166.6
166.6
GL
476
34000
476
166.6
166.6
GL
476 (dual)
34000
476
219.5
219.5
GL
540
34000
540
219.5
219.5
GK e
152
21000
179
10.8
8.5
GK e
GK
GK
GK
GK
GK
GK
GK
GK
GK
GK
152
179
179
179
211 or 203
212 or 203
229
254
254
279
305
34000
69000
103400
137800
21000
34000
69000
21000
34000
69000
21000
179
179
179
179
229
229
229
279
279
279
346
10.8
35.7
42.4
41.3
16.4
25.9
60.2
28.1
37.1
95.0
43.0
8.5
26.8
28.4
27.3
12.9
22.0
45.2
21.0
30.2
71.8
33.8
GK
346
34000
346
68.1 f
53.6 f
GK
346
69000
346
140.8 g
GK
406
14000
425
66.1
GK
406
21000
425
79.6
GK
425
34000
425
108.6
Add 31.2 L to closing volume if secondary chamber is in use.
Add 62.8 L to closing volume if secondary chamber is in use.
Add 75.7 L to closing volume if secondary chamber is in use.
Add 111.7 L to closing volume if secondary chamber is in use.
Compact GK.
With 216.9 mm piston stroke. Older model uses 247.7 mm piston stroke and 137.7 L to close, 93.3 L to open.
With 266.7 mm piston stroke. Older model uses 247.7 mm piston stroke and 137.7 L to close, 93.3 L to open.
100.3 g
59.8
59.8
75.4
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 173
174
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Litres
to close
9.0
17.3
17.3
64.8
27.4
41.4
41.6
70.7
115.8
89.0
89.3
194.0
125.9
182.3
123.4
232.3
Litres
to open
7.3
12.2
12.2
52.8
19.0
33.1
25.7
55.2
93.4
55.5
65.9
161.6
96.9
142.4
64.0
180.8
Regan Forge & Engineering Co. - Annular Preventers, Diverters, and Strippers
BOP size
Working pressure (kPa)
Vertical bore (mm)
Model or Type
(mm)
K
76
21000
76
K
102
21000
102
K
178
21000
179
K
219
21000
200
K
245
21000
225
K
273
21000
254
K
299
21000
276
K
299
21000
283
K
340
21000
314
K
349
21000
349
K
406
21000
N/A
K
473
21000
N/A
KFD
406
2070
203
KFD
473
2070
203
KFD
508
2070
203
KFD
559
2070
203
KFD
610
2070
203
KFL
346
21000
346
KFL
346
34000
346
KFL
346
69000
346
KFL
426
21000
426
KFL
426
34000
426
KFL
426
69000
426
KFL
508
14000
527
KFL
508
21000
527
KFL
508
34000
527
KFL
762
6900
673
KFL
762
14000
673
KFL
762
6900
711
KFL
762
14000
711
TORUS
152
21000
179
TORUS
203
21000
229
TORUS
203
42000
229
179
34000
Litres
to close
0.8
3.0
6.1
12.9
21.6
28.8
30.7
39.0
57.9
75.3
85.2
111.7
6.6
9.5
9.5
11.4
11.4
73.8
83.3
92.7
97.5
109.8
119.2
107.9
121.1
132.5
194.9
212.0
179.8
196.8
16.3
30.7
30.7
Litres
to open
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Litres
to close
Litres
to open
179
12.9a
18.2a
Each element.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 175
176
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Litres
Litres
to close to open
10.8
8.5
10.8
8.5
16.4
12.9
16.4
12.9
23.3
17.4
Litres
to close
2.3
2.3
8.5
8.5
0.4
0.6
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.5
0.6
0.9
1.0
1.9
1.1
2.2
3.2
3.0
3.0
7.9
9.1
21.6
21.6
44.7
Litres
to open
2.0
2.0
7.4
7.4
0.4
0.6
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.5
0.6
0.9
1.0
1.9
1.1
2.2
3.2
4.2
4.2
13.6
21.2
43.2
43.2
85.9
Litres
to close
0.8
0.8
0.8
1.5
1.5
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
2.3
3.0
3.0
4.9
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.5
1.5
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.5
1.5
1.5
2.3
3.0
3.0
3.0
1.1
1.1
2.3
3.0
3.0
4.9
7.6
Litres
to open
0.8
0.8
0.8
1.5
1.5
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
2.3
3.0
3.0
4.9
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.5
1.5
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.5
1.5
1.5
2.3
3.0
3.0
3.0
1.1
1.1
2.3
3.0
3.0
4.9
7.6
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 177
178
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Litres
to close
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.8
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.7
1.1
1.9
1.9
2.6
2.6
3.9
Litres
to open
0.4
0.4
0.4
1.8
0.9
0.9
0.9
1.6
0.9
1.7
1.7
2.3
2.3
3.7
Appendix 10
FLOW CHECK
SHUT-IN
Driller
(1) Floor
(2) Choke manifold
CALL ALERT
RAISE KELLY
STOP PUMP
OPEN HYDRAULIC VALVE
CLOSE ANNULAR PREVENTER
Go to choke manifold or to hydraulic choke
control panel
LET PRESSURES STABILIZE (5-15 min.)
READ & RECORD SIDPP
READ & RECORD SICP
RECORD TRIP TANK GAIN
Derrick Hand
(1) Floor
(2) Mud Tanks
Go to Floor
Go to Mud Tanks
MONITOR TRIP TANK
Motor Hand
(1) Floor
(2) Choke Manifold
Go to Floor
Go to Choke Manifold
Floor Hand #1
(1) Floor
(2) Choke Manifold
Go to Floor
Assist Motor Hand
Floor Hand #2
(1) Floor
(2) Messenger
Go to Floor
Assist Driller
SLOWLY CLOSE
CHOKE (Do not
exceed max.
allowable SICP)
REPORT INCREASE
IN TRIP TANK
VOLUME
At direction of Driller, NOTIFY
RIG MANAGER &
LICENSEES
REPRESENTATIVE
Driller
(1) Floor
(2) Choke manifold
Derrick Hand
(1) Floor
(2) Mud Tanks
Remain in derrick until
called down
CALL ALERT
Motor Hand
(1) Floor
(2) Choke Manifold
Floor Hand #1
(1) Floor
(2) Choke Manifold
Floor Hand #2
(1) Floor
(2) Messenger
Go to Floor
Go to Floor
Go to Floor
Go to Mud Tanks
Go to Choke Manifold
FLOW CHECK
SHUT-IN
REPORT INCREASE
IN TRIP TANK
VOLUME
Assist Driller
Assist Driller
INSTALL KELLY
INSTALL KELLY
Driller
(1) Floor
(2) Choke manifold
CALL ALERT
OPEN HYDRAULIC
VALVE CLOSE BLIND
RAMS
Go to Choke Manifold or to
hydraulic choke control
panel
LET PRESSURE
STABILIZE (5-15 min.)
READ & RECORD SICP
RECORD TRIP TANK
AGAIN
PREPARE TO STRIP IN,
SNUB, OR TOP KILL
WELL
Derrick Hand
(1) Floor
(2) Mud Tanks
Go to Floor
Motor Hand
(1) Floor
(2) Choke Manifold
Go to Floor
Floor Hand #1
(1) Floor
(2) Choke Manifold
Go to Floor
Floor Hand #2
(1) Floor
(2) Messenger
Go to Floor
Assist Driller
Go to Mud tanks
Go to Choke Manifold
Assist Driller
REPORT INCREASE IN
TRIP TANK VOLUME
At direction of Driller,
NOTIFY RIG MANAGER &
LICENSEES
REPRESENTATIVE
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
179
Appendix 11
Licensee
Unique Identifier
LE
LSD
Licensee Representative
Date
SEC
TWP
RG
EV
Contractor Representative
Contractor
Rig #
Drilling F
EUB Inspector
Tripping F
Out of hole F
DRILLING
TRIPPING
Yes
Alert called
Rotary stopped
Kelly hoisted
Tool joint (TJ) positioned
Yes
No
Alert called
Alert called
TJ positioned
Slips set
Elevators removed
Stabbing valve installed
Hole filled
Pump shut off
Flow diverted to TT
TT zeroed
Monitored TT for flow
Hole filled
Pump shut off
Flow diverted to TT
TT zeroed
Monitored TT for flow
TRIPPING
Yes
Alert called
Rotary stopped
Kelly hoisted
(TJ) positioned
OUT OF HOLE
No
No
No
Yes
No
OUT OF HOLE
Yes
Alert called
Yes
No
Alert called
TJ positioned
Slips set
Elevators removed
Stabbing valve installed
Hole filled
Pump shut off
HCR opened
Blind rams closed
Choke slowly closed
HCR opened
Annular closed
Choke slowly closed
Kelly installed
Stabbing valve opened
Pressures stabilized
SICP & SIDPP recorded
Pressures stabilized
SICP recorded
Supervisors notified
Prepared to trip in or kill
Supervisors notified
Prepared to trip in or kill
(continued)
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 181
Actual
1)
1 minute
______
2)
Procedures for flow checks completed; well is ready for flow check:
3 minutes
______
3)
5 minutes
______
2)
3)
4)
5)
Was maximum allowable casing pressure (MACP) understood by licensee and contractor representatives, driller, and
choke operator?_____________________________________________________________
6)
Did crew know how to obtain SIDPP, SICP, and tank gain?_______________________________________
7)
Did driller know the reduced pump speed and reduced pump pressure?_____________________________
8)
COMMENTS:
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
182
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Appendix 12
244.5 mm
J55/K55
53.57 kg/m
114.30 mm
29.77 kg/m
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 183
177.8 mm
H40
29.76 kg/m
184
244.5 mm
J55/K55
53.57 kg/m
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Volume of 30 m drop
drill pipe capacity + drill pipe displacement
0.9 m3
= 83 m of pipe
0.0067m3/m + 0.0042 m3/m
Example 2
Tubular Data:
Casing size
Grade
Mass
177.8 mm
H40
29.76 kg/m
Volume of 30 m drop
drill pipe capacity + drill pipe displacement
0.39 m3
0.0057m3/m + 0.0027 m3/m
= 47 m of pipe
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 185
Appendix 13
To help ensure that electrical systems on rigs are maintained according to the Safety
Codes Act.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Appendix 14
Field Inspection Branch ERP Review
Licensee
Date
Facility Type
Field Centre
Facility name
Inspector
Mandatory
The following six requirements must be met to achieve a satisfactory inspection regarding emergency response planning:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Yes
No
N/A
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
Supporting Information
The following seven criteria must be reviewed with the licensee's representative to gauge operator awareness and ERP competencies. These criteria
will assist the inspector in determining the rating for the above requirements. Criteria 7: Resident Contact must be confirmed by a minimum of two
resident contacts per ERP. The resident contact form must also be completed.
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
5. Ignition guidelines
6. Communication
7. Resident contact
Yes
___
No
___
N/A
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
Yes
___
___
___
___
No
___
___
___
___
N/A
___
___
___
___
3.
Yes
___
___
___
No
___
___
___
N/A
___
___
___
4.
Yes
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
No
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
N/A
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
(continued)
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 187
5.
Yes
___
___
No
___
___
N/A
___
___
Yes
___
___
___
___
No
___
___
___
___
N/A
___
___
___
___
Yes
___
___
___
___
___
No
___
___
___
___
___
N/A
___
___
___
___
___
Based on the above criteria, rate the licensees enforcement for compliance/noncompliance status as detailed in Directive 36, Directive 37,
Directive 64, and Directive 66. Document the results on the appropriate Drilling And Servicing Inspection Report using the criteria listed below.
Attach this review to the licensees file in the appropriate Field Centre.
Legend:
H
H
H
H
H
L
X - Satisfactory
L - Low Risk
H - High Risk
(For additional information on low and high risk enforcement see Directive 019: EUB Compliance AssuranceEnforcement).
188 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Appendix 15
Public Contact Form
Date:
Facility Name:
Location:
Licensee:
Type of
Facility/Operation:
Field Centre:
Facility Code:________
Licensee Code:_______
Battery F
Gas Plant F
Drlg./Serv.Well F
Please indicate type of contact (circle one)
Pipeline
ENVIR
F
F
PSSG
BV-05 F MH-08
DV-06 F MP-04
GP-10 F RD-09
SA-07 F WW-03
Does the facility have
an approved ERP?
1st Nations
F
F
F
F
Y/N
Other
Inspection Results
Was inspection of facility/operation satisfactory? (circle one)
Was resident(s) informed of EUB inspection results? (circle one)
Contact Information
Yes / No
Yes / No
Resident Name:
Address:
Phone Number:
Yes / No
Yes / No
ERP Information
Was resident(s) aware of EUB?
Is resident(s) aware of Industry contact?
Does facility/operation have an Emergency Response Plan?
Was resident(s) aware of the Emergency Response Plan?
Did resident(s) know what to do in the event of emergency?
Did resident(s) have any concerns?
(If yes, identify below and complete ENV form if necessary.)
Was ENV form filled out?
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Follow-up Required:
Comments:
Inspector:
Initials
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 189
Appendix 16
EUB Documents*
Internal Guide 8: Safety Manual
Directive 8: Surface Casing Depth Minimum
Requirements
Directive 19: EUB Compliance Assurance
Enforcement
Directive 37: Service Rig Inspection Manual
Directive 38: Noise Control Directive User Guide
Directive 50: Drilling Waste Management.
Directive 55: Storage Requirements for the
Upstream Petroleum Industry
Directive 56: Energy Development Application
Guide
Directive 58: Oilfield Waste Management
Requirements for the Upstream Petroleum
Industry
Directive 59: Well Drilling and Completion Data
Filing Requirements
Directive 60: Upstream Petroleum Industry Flaring
Guide
Directive 63: Oilfield Waste Management Facility
Inspection Manual
Directive 64: Facility Inspection Manual
ID 91-3: Heavy Oil/Oil Sands Operations
ID 94-3: Underbalanced Drilling
ID 96-3: Oilfield Waste Management Requirements
for the Upstream Petroleum Industry
ID 98-3: Well RecordsData Summary Forms
ID 99-4: Deposition of Oilfield Waste into Landfills
ID 99-5: Disposal of Drilling Waste Associated with
Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB)
Regulated Pipeline and/or Other Oil and Gas
Related Below Ground Boring Activities
ID 99-8: Noise Control Directive
ID 2000-3: Harmonization of Waste Management
and Memorandum of Understanding between the
Alberta Energy and Utilities Board and Alberta
Environment
ID 2000-4: An Update to the Requirements for the
Appropriate Management of Oilfield Wastes
190 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
Appendix 17
When crude oil is used for spotting, the licensee must ensure that control of subsurface
pressures will be maintained at all times during the spotting and circulation of the
crude oil.
23.1.1 Drilling
More Than
100 m or More
Than One
Hydrocarbonbearing
Formation
When the licensee is conducting drilling operations with a service rig, the operation is
classified as a drilling operation if more than 100 m measured depth of new hole will
be drilled or more than one potential hydrocarbon-bearing formation will be
penetrated.
All requirements set out in Directive 036 must be complied with.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 191
Appendix 2
Summary of Changes to EUB Directive 036 Effective July 1, 2006
Section
Changes Effective July 1, 2006
Studding flanged equipment to accommodate connections to other American
1.1.5 Double
Petroleum Institute (API) equipment that may have a lower pressure rating results in a
Drilling/
derating of the flange to the lower working pressure.
Studding
If a studded flange is used in an application requiring its original pressure rating,
documentation must be provided from either the original equipment manufacturer
(OEM) or a professional engineer (P.Eng.) that the flange is certified for the higherpressure rating.
2.1.1 Diverter
Line
The diverter line must have a working pressure at least equal to that of the required
BOP system (1400 kPa).
The diverter line connections must be flanged, hammer union, threaded, or bolted
groove lock type.
2.2.7 Degasser
Inlet
For class II wells, the degasser inlet line must have a working pressure 7 MPa up to
the connection on the degasser.
For well classes III-VI, the degasser inlet line must have a working pressure 14 MPa
(schedule 40 pipe is acceptable) up to the connection on the degasser.
Degasser inlet lines should be accessible full length, and it is recommended that no
portion of the line be submerged in drilling fluid. If a portion of the line is submerged,
it must be tested annually to ensure competent wall thickness. Documentation records
of this test must be available at the rig site.
2.2.8 Degasser
Vent Line
Degasser vent lines should be accessible full length, and it is recommended that no
portion of the line be submerged in drilling fluid. If a portion of the line is submerged,
it must be tested annually to ensure competent wall thickness. Documentation records
of this test must be available at the rig site.
2.2.9 Flare
Line(s)
For class II wells, the flare line must have a working pressure 7 MPa.
For well classes III-VI, the flare line must have a working pressure 14 MPa (schedule
40 pipe is acceptable).
4.1 Bleed-off,
Kill, or Diverter
Line(s)
Flexible hoses used in the bleed-off, kill, or diverter line(s) must be fire sheathed if
used within 7 m of the well.
Flexible hoses used in the flare and emergency flare line(s) must be fire sheathed if
used within 7 m of the well.
Adequate fire-resistant sheathing for flexible hoses used in the bleed-off, kill, or
diverter line(s) is defined as a hose assembly that can withstand a minimum of 5
minutes of 700C flame temperature at maximum working pressure without failure.
Adequate fire-resistant sheathing for flexible hoses used in the flare or emergency flare
line(s) is defined as a hose assembly that can withstand a minimum of 5 minutes of
700C flame temperature at maximum working pressure without failure.
192 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
6.1 Accumulator
System
6.2 Backup
Nitrogen (N2)
System
When a CTU is used to drill a class V or VI well, the backup N2 system must be
capable of providing, without recharging, hydraulic fluid of sufficient volume and
pressure to open the HCR on the bleed-off line, close the annular preventer on the drill
pipe, close two ram preventers, and retain a minimum pressure of 8400 kPa on the
accumulator system. In addition to the above functions, the backup N2 system must
also provide sufficient volume and pressure to shear the coiled tubing and retain on the
backup N2 system a minimum pressure of 8400 kPa or the minimum pressure required
to shear the coiled tubing, whichever is greater.
For critical sour wells, the backup N2 system must be capable of providing N2 of
sufficient volume and pressure to open the HCR on the bleed-off line, close the annular
preventer on the drill pipe, close, open, and close one ram preventer, and if blind/shear
rams are installed, provide sufficient volume and pressure to shear the drill pipe and
retain on the backup N2 system a minimum pressure of 8400 kPa or the minimum
pressure required to shear the drill pipe, whichever is greater. For critical sour wells, if
the existing backup N2 system cannot meet these requirements because of the addition
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 193
of the blind/shear rams, the backup N2 systems capacity and/or pressure must be
increased or a separate backup N2 system must be installed. It is also acceptable to
supplement the existing backup N2 system with an N2 booster (this may be the same N2
booster system that supplements the accumulator).
6.3.1 Floor
Controls
A gauge indicating the accumulator system pressure must be available at the floor
controls.
6.3.2 Remote
Controls
The BOP remote operating controls must be capable of opening each BOP component.
All wells being drilled must have mud tanks with an appropriate mud tank fluid
volume monitoring system.
Well classes I and II must have a trip tank with a fluid level monitoring system.
The trip tank must
be equipped with a fluid level-monitoring system that will accurately measure the
volume of drilling fluid required to fill the hole while tripping the drill string from
the well,
be designed with both the suction and return lines connected to the trip tank when
tripping the drill string into and from the well, and
be equipped with a fluid level indicator that is visible from the drillers position in
readable increments, and the driller must know the volume of fluid per increment
for the system being used.
If the drill string is being circulated while tripping tubulars (coiled tubing units or top
drives), hole fill volumes must be monitored using an automated mud tank fluid
volume monitoring system that is electronically operated (see Sections 9.3.1 and 9.3.2
of Directive 036). This procedure (circulating while tripping) requires an isolated
circulating system. Fluids must be circulated either from the trip tank with returns back
to the trip tank or alternatively from the suction tank with returns directed back to the
suction tank.
9.3.1 Well
Classes I, II, and
III
If a trip or suction tank is being used to monitor fluid volumes when wells are
circulated during tripping operations (coiled tubing units or top drives) (see Section 9.3
of Directive 036):
9.3.1 Well
Classes V, VI
an automated fluid volume monitoring system must be used. This system must be
capable of measuring changes of 0.04 m3 or less and the monitoring system must
have a minimum readout to 2 decimal places.
If a trip or suction tank is being used to monitor fluid volumes when wells are
circulated during tripping operations (coiled tubing units or top drives) (see Section 9.3
of Directive 036):
an automated fluid volume monitoring system must be used. This system must be
capable of measuring changes of 0.08 m3 or less and the monitoring system must
have a minimum readout to 2 decimal places.
194 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)
11.3.3 Trip
Records
For all well classes, when tripping the drill string out of the well:
the total calculated and actual (measured) volumes must be recorded in the
drilling logbook for each trip.
If the drill string is being circulated while tripping tubulars (i.e., coiled tubing units or
top drives), actual hole fill volumes must be recorded at a minimum for every 100 m
interval of drill pipe removed and for every 20 m interval of drill collars and recorded
on the trip sheet. If tripping resumes without circulating, the trip tank must be used to
monitor hole fill volumes. Flow checks must be conducted and recorded at all required
intervals (see Section 11.3.1 of Directive 036) with the well in a static condition (pump
off).
12.1 Electrical
Appliances and
Electrical
Devices
Any electrical appliance or electrical device that is a potential source of ignition may
not be used within a hazardous location (as defined in the Canadian Electrical Code,
Part I, and as determined by the Code for Electrical Installations at Oil and Gas
Facilities) without first shutting in the wellbore. Any electrical equipment to be used in
a hazardous location must be specifically approved and suitable for its intended
application.
During drilling operations, special circumstances (e.g., pipe inspection) may require
the use of electrical devices (that are potential sources of ignition) within a hazardous
location. These procedures must only take place after the licensee representative has
first assessed on-site safety and strict safety procedures are set out and adhered to. This
safety assessment and proposed procedures must be reviewed with the crew and
documented in the tour reports prior to the operation being conducted.
For the purposes of oil and gas well drilling and servicing operations, the Canadian
Electrical Code essentially defines hazardous location to mean premises
(substructures, tanks, buildings, or parts thereof) in which there exists the hazard of
fire or explosion due to the fact that highly flammable gases may be present.
EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006) 195
196 EUB Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and Procedures (February 2006)